In a match-up of some of the best filly and mare sprinters in North America, Dust and Diamonds upstaged Musical Romance, Turbulent Descent, Emma's Encore and several other highly regarded sprinters to score a big win in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap at odds of 9/1.
Dust and Diamonds broke alertly and sat two lengths off the the early leader, Roman Treasure, through a fast opening furlong in 21.82 second. Judy the Beauty, Musical Romance and Turbulent Descent looked poised to pounce on the leaders once they hit the turn but Dust and Diamonds had a lot left in the tank. Using mainly a hand-ride through the final furlongs, jockey Julien Leparoux guided Dust and Diamonds to the wire by two lengths over Judy the Beauty. Musical Romance finished third while favorite Turbulent Descent could only muster a final spot in the superfecta.
No matter how you look at this race, it was a very good performance by Dust and Diamonds.
The Gallant Bloom is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race; Dust and Diamonds is now headed to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
Dust and Diamonds is four-year-old filly by Vindication out of a Gone West mare (Majestically) and trained by Steve Asmussen.
Below are the payouts, fractions, internal splits and video replay for the Gallant Bloom Handicap.
| WIN | 3-Dust And Diamonds | $19.60 | $9.40 | $5.50 | |
| PLACE | 4-Judy the Beauty | $6.20 | $3.60 | ||
| SHOW | 9-Musical Romance | $3.80 | |||
| $1.00 Exacta | 3/4 | $50.75 | |||
| $1.00 Trifecta | 3/4/9 | $389.50 | |||
| $0.10 Supefecta | 3/4/9/10 | $83.35 | |||
| $1.00 Daily Double | 6/3 | $34.75 | |||
| $1.00 Pick 3 | 8/6/3 | $301.00 | 3-of-3 | ||
| Fractions | |||||
| 1/4: | 21.82 | ||||
| 1/2: | 44.49 | ||||
| 3/4: | 68.26 | ||||
| Finish: | 74.71 | ||||
| Internal Splits | |||||
| 1/4: | 21.82 | ||||
| 1/2: | 22.67 | ||||
| 3/4: | 23.77 | ||||
| Finish: | 6.45 | ||||