Mining Diamonds still testing which surface she prefers
ARCADIA, Calif. – Mining Diamonds will start against winners for the first time in a first-level optional $75,000 claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Friday. The race will help trainer Peter Miller determine whether Mining Diamonds is best suited to races on the main track or turf.
“We’re trying to figure that out,” he said.
There is recent evidence that both will work. Mining Diamonds was third in her first start on turf in a maiden race on the hillside course March 20 and won a maiden race on a wet-fast main track in her most recent start April 10.
In Friday’s race, Mining Diamonds is part of a field of nine 3-year-old fillies and is one of two Miller-trained entrants. Miller said Wednesday he is considering scratching Oh Great Idea, a maiden-race winner on a sloppy track April 9, because of an abundance of speed in the race.
Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Mining Diamonds, by Mineshaft
Last 3 Beyers: 84-68-43
◗ Mining Diamonds needed four races to beat maidens. She led throughout the race April 10 but is not committed to racing on the front, Miller said.
“She can run on the pace or off the pace,” Miller said. “It looks like there is plenty of speed. She’s run well on the hill before. There’s no reason she can’t do it again.”
Sweet Queen, by Twirling Candy
Last 2 Beyers: 72-66
◗ Sweet Queen won her debut in a maiden race for $62,500 claimers on the main track at Del Mar last November and was third at 12-1 in the Blue Norther Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf last December.
This will be the first start of the year for Sweet Queen, who resumed workouts in mid-March after a 60-day gap.
Well Caught, by Zoffany
◗ Well Caught will have her American debut Friday, having won a maiden race and finished second in an allowance race on the all-weather surface at Dundalk in Ireland last August and September.
Well Caught joined trainer Simon Callaghan’s stable over the winter and has caught his attention with her recent workouts.
“We like her,” he said. “She’s been on a regular pattern and has been ready to run for a few weeks. I expect her to run well.”
Former European runners with all-weather experience have excelled at Santa Anita this month. On May 19, the former Dundalk runner Ebadan ($26.80) won an optional claimer on turf. Last Sunday, the Callaghan-trained Victory Call ($39.80) won a maiden race on the main track. Victory Call ran on the all-weather track at Kempton Park in England last November.