$1.7 Million Diamondsandpearls Dazzles in Debut

Trainer Bob Baffert has a habit of comparing his horses to human athletes, and with a wide grin on his face he went to the well again July 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Diamondsandpearls, a $1.7 million purchase by Kerri Radcliffe as agent at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March sale of 2-year-olds in training from the McKathan Bros. consignment, cruised to a 6 1/4-length win over Mondaymorningblues (who was another 5 1/2 lengths clear of the field) in her debut. 

"When they gave me the ticket (at the sale), I was like, 'Oh, yeah. I just got myself Dwyane Wade in the draft,'" Baffert said, drawing a comparison to the three-time NBA champion. "That's a number 1 pick. When you get those number 1 draft choices, you're (set)."

Under jockey Mike Smith, the 2-year-old Congrats   filly broke like a pro from post 3 and was never seriously challenged. Under a hand ride throughout, Diamondsandpearls ran fractions of :22.30 and :45.74, then finished off the five furlongs in :58.03.

"She ran like we hoped she would," Baffert said. "With that price tag, everybody wanted her. Now we know why everybody wanted her. ... I really didn't put any fast works into her. She does everything so easy.

"Mike and Martin (Garcia) have been working her, and everyone who has been on her just says how she does it so easy."

Baffert said after the race that the filly's next start would likely be in the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes (G2) Aug. 5 at Del Mar.

Bred by Todd Frederick, Chad Frederick, Phoenix Farm and Racing in Kentucky, Diamondsandpearls is out of the unraced Dixie Union mare Azalea Belle.