Justalittlesmoke snaps Needmore Flattery's streak in Diana

Neither a stewards’ inquiry nor a jockey’s claim of foul could prevent the 3-year-old filly Justalittlesmoke from snapping Needmore Flattery’s five-race winning streak.

Fresh as the result of sitting out the Best of Ohio series two weeks ago, Justalittlesmoke turned the tables on Needmore Flattery in the closing-day feature at ThistleDown, the $75,000 Diana Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares.

Despite losing by a head to Needmore Flattery in last month’s Scarlet and Gray Handicap, Justalittlesmoke ($4) was sent off the even-money favorite in the six-furlong Diana. She ran past Floral Sky in the stretch and finished 1 3/4 lengths clear of 7-5 second choice Needmore Flattery, who was cutting back sharply in distance after winning the 1 1/8-mile Best of Ohio Distaff on Oct. 10. Floral Sky was another three-quatrers of length back in third, matching her performance in the Distaff.

It was the sixth win in 12 career starts for Justalittlesmoke, ridden by Terry Houghton for owner Marion Gorham and trainer Bob Gorham. The winning time was 1:11.62.

Luis Colon, the rider of Needmore Flattery, claimed that Justalittlesmoke impeded his mount at the start and there was also a stewards’ inquiry looking at that same segment of the race. Although showrf there was multiple bumping between Justalittlesmoke and Needmore Flattery, the stewards did not change the order of finish.

Walter De La Cruz finished the meet as the leading rider with 84 victories, 18 ahead of Christian Pilares. Nabu Morales edged Jeff Radosevich for leading trainer honors, 59-56. Looch Racing Stables led the owner standings with 42 victories.