Red Hot Diva proves clearly best in My Sister Pearl

Red Hot Diva left little doubt who was best Saturday night in the $50,850 My Sister Pearl Stakes at Charles Town, taking the lead a half-mile from home and drawing away to win by 7 1/2 lengths.

The My Sister Pearl is a 1 1/8-mile stakes for West Virginia-bred fillies and mares. My Sister Pearl finished second in the race a year ago to local legend Down Town Allen, a winner of 24 races at Charles Town during her career.

Red Hit Diva tracked the pacesetting Dimples early in the My Sister Pearl, took charge on the backstretch, entered the stretch with a four-length lead, and continued to increase her margin to the wire under jockey Travis Dunkelberger.

Trained by Ollie Figgins III, Red Hit Diva now is 11 for 23 in her career with earnings of $301,820. A 5-year-old, she paid $4.40 as the favorite in the six-horse field. She was timed in 1:55.69.

Although five of the six runners had raced Oct. 10 on the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic card, Red Hot Diva was the only one who opted for the $135,000 Cavada Stakes. The others all raced in the $63,000 Distaff.

Spa Creek saved ground within striking distance early but was no match for the winner while finishing second. It was 2 3/4 lengths farther back to the frontrunning Dimples in third. Dimples set fractions of 25.35 seconds, 50.62, and 1:16.47 and held the show by a head over Blisstikus, who raced evenly.