Tough to get past Potts duo in Mark McDermott Stakes

A pair of Ron Potts-trained 2-year-olds who improved their Beyer Speed Figures by more than 20 points while crushing maidens last time out look formidable in Sunday night’s $100,000 Mark McDermott Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.

The filly Diamond Dollar, who romped by 5 1/2 lengths when she stretched out from 4 1/2 furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 11, and the colt Sixers City, who scored by 9 3/4 lengths while making his second start Aug. 22, are the fastest horses on paper in the McDermott, a six-furlong sprint for Pennsylvania-bred 2-year-olds.

Diamond Dollar is part of a coupled entry for The Elkstone Group with Castles in the Air, who returns to his home track after flashing speed and fading in an overnight stakes on dirt at Delaware Park a month ago. Potts and The Elkstone Group sent out Balk to win last year’s McDermott.

Aside from choosing between Diamond Dollar and Sixers City, bettors must wonder how both horses will react after dramatically improving their Beyers. Diamond Dollar challenges males after being off for nearly two months, then soaring from a 39 Beyer to a 70. Sixers City wheels back less than two weeks after jumping from a 44 Beyer to a 66.

Get Sassy, another filly, is a viable alternative to the top two choices. The lone two-time winner in the field, Get Sassy exits a win in which the third-place finisher, Historical Tablet, returned to score with a 67 Beyer on Aug. 18.

Mark McDermott, Race 5

KEY CONTENDERS

Diamond Dollar, by Hot for Love

Beyers: 70-39-47

◗ She figures to gun for the lead after breaking from the rail under Huber Villa-Gomez.

◗ Potts has been winning at a 26 percent clip at this meet.

Sixers City, by Haynesfield

Beyers: 66-44

◗ He won easily, but Potts is just 2 for 14 (14 percent) with 2-year-olds wheeling back in 14 days or fewer.

Get Sassy, by Get Stormy

Beyers: 61-38-40

◗ She finished a neck in front of Diamond Dollar when winning a maiden race in June and has been off since earning her second victory July 25.

Howboutthemcowboys, by Congaree

Last 3 Beyers: 45-59-45

◗ Delaware shipper adds blinkers for trainer Jamie Ness, who shows a 3-for-5 record with 2-year-olds making their first start on Tapeta at Presque Isle.

Ignotus, by Orientate

Beyers: 42-36

◗ Exits an easy maiden win at Penn National in which the runner-up came back to win with a 57 Beyer.