By DRF.com
CYPRESS, Calif. (Sept. 18, 2016) — The top colt at the Barretts Paddock Sale at Del Mar in July was the top colt in Saturday’s $100,000 Barretts Juvenile at Los Alamitos.
California Diamond, purchased for $125,000 in July as the most expensive hip in the sale, won the second stakes of his career in the Barretts Juvenile, overcoming traffic in early stretch. Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the California-bred won the Juvenile by 1 1/4 lengths over pacesetter Crosscheck Carlos.
California Diamond ($4.40) was bred by Stormy Hull. He ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.37.
California Diamond gave his backers ample suspense in early stretch. Desormeaux had California Diamond behind runners turning into the long stretch. After waiting briefly for room, Desormeaux angled the colt between Crosscheck Carlos and stablemate Big League before finding sufficient space. California Diamond quickened in the final furlong before taking a commanding lead.
“A seam was going to open up eventually,” Desormeaux said. “This is the longest stretch in America and when I picked a spot he really responded.”
Big League, the 4-5 favorite, finished third, followed by Dutt Bart, Malibu Magic, and Dude’s Dude.
California Diamond races for Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch and trainer Peter Miller. The colt has started three times for them, finishing second in two stakes for California-breds during the Del Mar summer meeting – the Graduation Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 3, and the I’m Smokin Stakes at six furlongs on Sept. 2.
Hartunian said in the winner’s circle that California Diamond will remain with California-breds. One possible option is the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, part of the undercard of the Breeders’ Cup Saturday program.
“Kent said he has a lot more left,” Hartunian said.
California Diamond made his first two starts for trainer John Brocklebank. During that span, California Diamond won a maiden race for California-breds and the Santa Anita Juvenile on July 9, the first stakes of the year for 2-year-olds in Southern California.
California Diamond has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $212,100. He has earned $103,500 since being acquired in July.