NEWS
Presious Passion captures Mac Diarmida
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2009 6:29 PM
PRESIOUS PASSION
Bob Coglianese photo
by Jeff Apel
Grade 1 winner Presious Passion dug in with determination when challenged by Quasicobra in early stretch and earned a half-length win in the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
A career earner of $1,242,018, Presious Passion has posted six of his ten career wins in graded stakes. The Royal Anthem gelding earned his first victory at the highest level in the 2008 United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.
Presious Passion battled Finallymadeit for the early lead in the Mac Diarmida and led by a head through an opening quarter-mile in :23.54. Drawing clear under Elvis Trujillo, Presious Passion opened a 2 1/2-length lead through a half-mile in :46.14 and built a seven-length advantage through six furlongs in 1:11.23 and one mile in 1:36.28.
Presious Passion was nearly overtaken in early stretch by multiple graded stakes-placed winner Quasicobra, who rallied from third in a field of ten to challenge the leader. Presious Passion gamely held on in the closing strides to win the 1 3/8-mile race in 2:12.10 on firm turf.
Quasicobra finished one length in front of Grade 3 winner and 2-to-1 favorite Spice Route (GB).
Mary Hartmann trains Presious Passion for Patricia Generazio. The six-year-old gelding entered off a runner-up finish in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes on turf rated as good on January 24 at Santa Anita Park.
Presious Passion concluded his previous season by winning the W. L. McKnight Handicap (G2) at Calder Race Course for the second straight year. The chestnut gelding also won the 2008 Pan American Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream.
Presious Passion posted his tenth win in 36 starts. Bred in Florida by Joseph and Helen Barbazon, Presious Passion is one of two winners from three starters out of the Marquetry mare Princesa’s Passion.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor
