Skye Diamonds proving herself a terrific claim

When one door closed on Jon Lindo, another opened.

Lindo heads a partnership that in August 2016 dropped a $40,000 claim for Skye Diamonds, one of the favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Just a week before, Lindo was laid off as an advertising representative by Daily Racing Form after 11 years on the job.

“Obviously we didn’t know the filly would turn out this good,” said Lindo. “But she had conditions we could run through and thought she might be okay. All she’s done is get better and better.”

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Lindo, 57, has served for years as the president of an escrow company in his hometown of Carlsbad, Calif., saying his wife, Anela, is the “brains behind it all.” He has been involved in racing in some capacity for nearly 30 years, frequently putting together groups so as to defray the considerable costs of owning horses. The Skye Diamonds partnership also includes Jeff Bloom, Tom Acker, and Chuck and Lori Allen.

Trained by Bill Spawr, Skye Diamonds has six wins and two seconds from eight starts since Lindo and partners won a shake for the California-bred filly. She will be ridden by Tiago Pereira and breaks from post 12 in a full gate of 14 as the second morning-line choice (5-1) behind Unique Bella.