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BY EMILY SHIELDS
An exuberant co-owner and trainer, Spawr celebrates Amazombie’s grade 1 Bing Crosby victory with jockey Mike Smith
Trainer Bill Spawr had plenty of confdence in Skye Diamonds before the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes (G2), at least until he looked at the feld. Te four rivals in the July 8 contest included Eclipse champion and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner Finest City, grade 1 winner Constellation, and dual grade 2 winner Pretty N Cool.
“She was training so well; I thought she could win,” Spawr said. “But when I saw the competition, I knew she would have to be at her very best to beat those kinds of fillies. I still can’t believe she won so well and so fast.”
Skye Diamonds raced in midpack early, rolled four wide into the stretch, and cruised past David Flores on Constellation to win by 21⁄2 lengths, stopping the clock in 1:14.79 for the 61⁄2-furlong distance. Te next day, Flores told Spawr, “I was loaded with a fresh horse and I couldn’t believe that your filly went by us!” ….