Diabolic, under a patient Antonio Gallardo, found daylight along the rail and took off in the stretch to win the $127,250 Catch A Glimpse Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.
The daughter of Dark Angel-Seafront arrived at the 6 ½-furlong turf event for 2-year-old fillies off two straight scores to launch her career, including an impressive effort in the My Dear Stakes on July 31 at Woodbine.
Despite acting up in the gate, Diabolic, at even-money, settled down to deliver trainer Mark Casse and owners D.J. Stable LLC & Nexus Racing Club, with a natural hat trick.
Silver Magnatized and Curlin Candy dueled for the early lead as Gallardo and Diabolic were an unhurried seventh of eight through a quarter in :23.19.
After Silver Magnatized took the field through a half-mile in :46.29, Gallardo roused Diabolic, and as the field straightened for home, the pair took aim at the frontrunners, steadily gaining along the inside to grab a one-length lead at the stretch call.
At the wire, Diabolic was a one-length winner in a time of 1:15.81 over firm going. Royal Engagement was second, while Miss Barbara, also a Casse trainee, finished third.
“She ran pretty good off the pace,” said Gallardo after the local prep for the $400,000 Grade 1 Natalma Stakes on September 19, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” event. “I saw a couple of horses with speed today going a little longer distance than last time, so I settled down; tried to save some ground. She's a nice filly. I saw the inside hole and I only asked her a little bit and she just rolled.”
The grey, bred in Ireland by Yeomanstown Stud, paid $4.30 for the win.
“She's improved,” said Gallardo. “Every race, she tells you she's something, no matter if it's five furlongs, 6 ½, Polytrack, 6 ½ on the turf… she's classy. She can do everything all the time.”
It was a fitting victory for Casse, who conditioned Catch A Glimpse, Canada's Horse of the Year, Outstanding 2-Year-Old Filly, and Outstanding Turf Female of 2015 after winning Woodbine's Grade 1 Natalma and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland.
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