Hot Diggitty goes last to first in Ontario County Stakes

Hot Diggitty rallied from last to edge the previously unbeaten Freudnme by three-quarters of a length in the $50,000 Ontario County Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds on Monday at Finger Lakes.

While one winning streak ended, another one began. Hot Diggitty ($13.80), who is trained by Jeremiah Englehart, went winless in three starts as a juvenile, but has now won both his starts this year. The Frost Giant gelding returned from a five-month winter break to dead heat for the win in a maiden special weight on May 4 at Belmont Park, setting him up for his stakes debut.

Freudnme was also stepping up to stakes company for the first time after winning his three previous career starts by a combined 7 1/2 lengths. Despite hopping in the air at the start, the colt recovered to lead through an opening quarter in 22.58 seconds and half in 46.10 with Empiremeister pressing on his hip. Hot Diggitty was last of seven under Reylu Gutierrez after the opening quarter, and was still fifth turning into the stretch as meanwhile, up front, Freudnme put Empiremeister away to lead by 1 1/2 lengths. Hot Diggitty rallied strongly on the outside of those and wore down Freudnme in the final stages for the victory. Empiremeister came on again to finish just a head behind Freudnme in third.

The final time for the six furlongs was 1:11.80.