Diligent Prospect comes back strong

Diligent Prospect looked strong in his first start since March, when he was prominent throughout for a 2 1/2-length win over Any Questions in the $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park on Saturday.

The 5 1/2-furlong race was one of three stakes on the opening weekend card.

Diligent Prospect ($15.60) overtook pacesetter Dangerous Devon after an opening quarter in 21.89 seconds, and went on to cover the distance in a sharp 1:03.29. Francisco Duran rode the winner for trainer Bill Tollett.

Diligent Prospect earned $30,000 for the win, which was his fifth from nine career starts. He now has earnings of $148,760. Diligent Prospect races for Kj Star Stables and Ron D. Whited Jr., et al. He is a 4-year-old son of Diligence.

Double for Danley

Trainer Fred Danley won two stakes on the card, with Romeos Wilson ($26.80) in the $125,000 Johnie L. Jamison for New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds, and Gotta Get ($3.40) in the $125,000 Jess Burner Memorial, a restricted Grade 1 for Quarter Horses.

Romeos Wilson closed well for a 1 3/4-length win over Cattleman Prospect in the Jamison, while it was another two lengths back in third to Gulchrunssweet. Rocky Gulch, the favorite and highweight, finished sixth in the Jamison.

Adrian Ramos rode Romeos Wison, who has now won 12 of 52 starts and $448,760.

Gotta Get won his sixth straight race in the Burner, and it was also his sixth consecutive stakes win. He raced with the leaders throughout for a 1 1/4-length win. Gotta Get was ridden by James Gonzales II.