Meadowlands: Youaremycandygirl turns away challengers in Three Diamonds final

Post ten wasn't enough to derail the red hot and likely 2-year-old pacing filly divisional champion Youaremycandygirl in Saturday night's $381,200 Three Diamonds at the Meadowlands. The impressive daughter of American Ideal was three-wide to the quarter, took on intense pressure from 4-5 choice Kissin In The Sand, yet marched away to a powerful 1:51 victory for driver Yannick Gingras.

Sent off at 6-5, Youaremycandygirl left along with Rainbow Room and Strong Opinion. Rainbow Room assumed command in the turn before Kissin In The Sand and Tim Tetrick moved between horses in an attempt to keep the winner wide and perhaps secure the front before her. When Youaremycandygirl cleared prior to the 26 2/5 opening quarter, it left the favorite on the outside with only one direction to go. Tetrick pushed the pace hard, and the pair sprinted a half in 53 2/5.

The race-winner kept the pace sizzling through three quarters in 1:21 3/5, losing her challenger and distancing herself from the pocket-sitting Rainbow Room. Gingras kept the Ron Burke-trained Youaremycandygirl to her task, and she easily held off runner-up Reign On Me, with Rainbow Room weakening late for third. Aldine Hanover and Majorsspeciallady completed the top five.

W. J. Donovan owns Youaremycandygirl, who won for the ninth time (this was her seventh consecutive win) in 11 career starts. Sent off at 6-5 Youaremycandygirl paid $4.40.

"She got a little bumpy on the first turn, and I had to chase her," said Gingras after the race.

Trainer Ron Burke won his third straight stakes of the evening and was more than pleased.

"I think she really proved to be one of the best 2-year-old fillies ever," Burke said. "She's out of a sister to Sweet Lou so there's no ceiling for her."