EM SANTA ANITA

Diversy Harbor Rallies to Win Buena Vista
By Jerry Bossert

Glen Hill Farm's Diversy Harbor reeled in heavily favored La Tia in the final strides to take the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (gr. IIT) (VIDEO) at Santa Anita Park Feb. 16.

Making her first start since finishing second in the $101,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (gr. IIIT) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, Diversy Harbor was tipped off the rail in the stretch by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens and collared 3-5 favorite La Tia in the final 50 yards. It was the first graded stakes win for the 4-year-old filly, who snapped a seven-race losing streak.

La Tia, who was seeking her third straight graded stakes score, set the pace under Joel Rosario as expected but was pushed through a quick half-mile in :46.49 by Blingismything, while Diversy Harbor raced in last in the field of six. After six furlongs in 1:10.05, La Tia narrowly clung to her lead over Blingismything and turned for home in front, but couldn't hold off Diversy Harbor, who rallied up the fence in the stretch before tipping out late to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

"Kent (Desormeaux aboard Blingismything) chirped to his filly leaving the gate and I said, 'Good, somebody's gonna put some pressure on La Tia,' " Stevens said. "I was working her last week and she did tremendous; she has matured a lot and she's push-button. She showed a nice kick.

"Like all good fillies, she has got a mind of her own, but she has gotten more cooperative and I've gotten to know her a lot better with working her in the mornings. She's turning into one of my favorites quickly."

Blingismything lasted to be a clear third, while Annecdote, Winning Rhythm, and Nashoba's Gold completed the order of finish. Uzziel was an early scratch.

"She's maturing so much," said Aimee Dollase, assistant to trainer Tom Proctor. "That was excellent. (Desormeaux) did help her on the pace. That's what she has been lacking in a lot of her races, pace up front, but she still closes really strong, so that definitely helped us today."

Diversy Harbor won the first two starts of her career; she broke her maiden Jan. 26, 2014, at Santa Anita in her debut, and then took the $80,000 China Doll Stakes in her second start, also on the grass at Santa Anita, March 8.

Diversy Harbor returned $11.80 to win, $3.40 to place, and $3 to show after running the mile on the firm turf course in 1:34.33. La Tia paid $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show, while Blingismything returned $3.60 to show.

"She was going easy, (and) even when that horse came to our outside, she was still comfortable," Rosario said. "She did everything she could but we just got beat. We were second-best today."

Diversy Harbor was bred in Kentucky by Barbara Hunter and is by Curlin   out of Motokiks. She owns a record of 3-4-1 from 10 starts with earnings of $377,190.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90190/diversy-harbor-rallies-to-win-buena-vista#ixzz3RxqX9Lz1