(Diamond Solitaire, through the years, and from the first days of meeting her nurse mare, Geri, to her first winner’s circle at “The Shoe”)

Well…I have to admit that I dread this day. Been dreading it for quite some time. But, when we started with this feisty little gal, who has defeated all odds in her life, we knew there would be a beginning and, some day, a final race.

The last part has reached us. Today, in the 2nd race at Horseshoe Indianapolis, our ver own Diamond Solitaire will make her last career start. Or, so we think at this time. (Leave a little bit of wiggle room and hope, right?)

Sure hope it rains today at “The Shoe.” First of all, Diamond loves a wet track. Secondly, Racing Rachel won’t be able to see the tears washing down the face.

It has been a joy ride right from the beginning. Never, in a million years, did we think that this little “orphaned filly,” left with a broken leg and no momma to provide the milk and the way after just a week of life would turn out to be this most amazing mare who has earned over $440,000 and has won two Stakes races for our collection of owners.

Never.

In a millón years.

But Diamond has done it. The hard way. She rarely misses a dance. And, she can carry a tune — whether it be around two turns or going short.

Diamond will always be part of our lives. She is stuck in our memories and our hearts. Forever. But today a chapter will likely end. And, we are hoping to go out the way we came in. With a bang.

Here’s our looks at today’s card:

1st: 4-6/3-5-7//1-2…Covert Kid (4) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter at “The Shoe” on this Thursday, which is sure to be wet from all the Wednesday rains and pours. This 3YO, Indy-bred son of Pataky Kid has never been on an off track and that is a bit troubling. But the one start for the meet’s winningest trainer was good enjoy to spark interest here, especially with the drop to the claiming price of $15,000. Gets the meet’s winningest rider up, too, and he has won with .23% of the last 30 for this barn operation. Look for a run-out here. Starspangledimage (6) has been over an off-track once before and ran a solid 3rd, just two starts ago. Rider has been on a tear of late, going 5-1-1 in the last 17. This will be the 4th start off the layoff and could be primed now. I bet the 4 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I box the 4-6 sternly in the exactas. I will key the 4-6 over/under the 3-5-7 in two smaller units.

2nd: 6-4-10/2-7/5/8-9…This one was proposed for the grass, but now has been moved to the main track. Thank the rains and the good Lord, from above. And, this one will most likely (90%?) be the last race in the storied career of our very own Diamond Solitaire (10). The 6YO mare has made 36 lifetime starts. She has gone 7-7-5 in those and has 2 Stakes wins this year, while sprinting (which has never been her preferred distance until this year). She catches a 5 furlong sprint distance here, and, admittedly, that may be a tad short for her. But in 6 races over an off-track, she has gone 1-3-0 and has won over $112,000. Alex Achard is back for the mount and we are looking forward to seeing a swan song over a track that may be suited for a swan. We shall see. But it has been one helluva ride that this homebred has taken us on. From being orphaned just a week into her life, when she sustained a broken leg when her mom was stricken by a horrid case of colic, to today? Amazing. She’s won over $440,000 in her career at “The Shoe,” her home away from home. And, we could not be happier for her. She will be retiring fully sound and happy. And, that is what she has made us, too. Let’s go one more time, gal. Let’s splash our way to that circle, just one more time. I will be waiting with love and kisses. I bet the 10 across the board — what else? I double down on the win and show wagers. And, I will box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the 10 over/under the “all button” in two other groupings, as well. 

3rd: 5/2-7-8/1-(11)/10…The first “Key Play of the Day” will come here with Kennedy Heights (5). This 4YO Indiana-bred filly comes in for a trainer, who has gone 9-11-5 with just 49 runners here this long meet. The barn has won .20% and this gal returns as a beaten favorite. Barn has won with .35% of the last 17 of those types. Gets the best rider on the grounds here and this one should be a handful. Could pop the cork here after 6 seconds and 1 third in the first 9 starts. I bet the 5 to win/place and then double/triple down on the win wager. I will key the 5 over/under the 2-7-8-1-11-10 in the exactas. More with the 2-7-8 than the rest and I will also key the 5 over/under the “all button” with two smaller units. 

4th: 9-2-(15)/(13)-10/3-4-11/7…This is another race originally proposed for the turf. Moves to the main track here. I go with Uptown Tom (9). This 3YO has never been on an “off track,” but in the lone start over the main dirt, he was a very game 2nd. Looks better on turf, but that may be due to the natural maturation process, as well. This one looks ready to go, go, go here and that is a style that fits the off-going. My solid pick. I bet the 9 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 9-2-15 in the exactas. I will key the 9 over/under the 2-15-13-10-3-4-11-7 in two smaller units, as well.

5th: 8/11/3-6-12/1/2…The second “Key Play of the Day” comes here with Neon Leon (8). This 3YO Indiana-bred gelding comes in off a very solid 2nd at this same bargain basement level. Has never been on an “off-track” to date, but looks to have some pedigree here that could help adjust and does have speed galore, which should assist, as well. Rider has been hot since coming back to “The Shoe.” Adds up to a real threat. I bet the 8 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will key the 8 over/under the 11-3-6-12-1-2 in the exactas. More with the 11 than the rest. 

6th: 10-7-11/12-3/5-6-2/9-(14)/8-(13)…Signature Day (10) is my first “Upset Special of the Day.” Hope this one stays just close to the 10-1 ML that Brisnet.com has set. This one has won two in a row here and goes for a top trainer in these parts. Love the fact that this one will be moved to the main track again. Should assist this one tremendously. Watcher (7) has been over an “off track” on three previous runs. Has a win and a third. Must use for me. Could be a tough out, as well. Galoshes (11) is aptly named for these conditions. Will make the “off track” debut here, but does have 2 wins in 4 tries over the main track. I bet the 10-7 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 10-7 over/under the 11-12-3-5-6-2 in two smaller units. 

7th: 7-11-9/10-12-(16)/(15)-8/1-5…One Last Bid (7) could be the pick here. The #7 in the 7th race? Right? This one drops back in for the $15,000 price tag after running a nice 2nd at this same level last time out. Has run over an “off track” twice before and has a 2nd in that effort. Could fire here. Heeding (11) goes for a sneaky-good trainer, who is having a tough go here this meet. Has won with just .06% here in 31 stats at “The Shoe.” Overall this year, though, trainer has won with .12% in 97 starts. This one has speed and that should help here. In 4 starts at this distance, has a 1-1-1 record.

8th: 6/1-3/2-8-7/9-12/11…Elegant Justice (6) is the next “Key Play of the Day.” This one is 4-5 odds in the ML. And, this one should be the favorite at post time, too. In one previous attempt over the “off” going, this one is a perfect 1-for-1. This 2YO gal goes for a trainer/jockey duo who have gone 4 wins in the last 7 starts. Has won by 10 and has won by 11 in two of the 3 wins. Wow. Looks tough here. I bet the 6 to win/place and then key the 6 over/under the 1-3-2-8-7-9-12-11 in the exactas. More with the 1-3 than the rest. 

9th: 5-7-4/3/1-8/9-6-10/(13)…Large Pour (5) gets my checkmark here. This 2YO son of Vino Rosso has run three times and impressively in each account. Has 2 wins and a 2nd in the last out — which was a Stakes event. Lost by a neck in that one. Won by a whopping 17 lengths just two starts ago. Look out. A good one. I bet the 5 across the board and then double/triple down on the win wager. I will box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key those 3 over/under the 3 in two smaller units. 

10th: 11/9-1/3-7-10/4-8…The final race of the long, long, long meet — which began way back in April — is a 5.5-furlong sprint over the main track and it will be the last “Key Play of the Day” for the meet, as well. Oil Man (11) has won 2 in a row, and looks like a tough out here if he takes to the “off” going for the first time. Rider is well-qualified. Trainer is winningest at the meet. Adds up to “tough.” I bet the 11 across the board and double down on then win wager. I will key the 11 over/under the 9-1-3-7-10-4-8 in the exactas. More with the 9-1 than the rest.

Good Luck, Diamond…

Good Luck, to all…

& …

All the Best / Gene