Photo Courtesy of Coady Photography
Esplanande, the Reigning Ohio Horse of the Year, demolished a field of experienced older horses in taking the Diana Stakes by a widening 12 1/2 lengths. Her final time of 1:10:58 over the sloppy surface was visually impressive as she bounded over the track with eloquent ease.
Esplanande is a 3 yr old filly by Daredevil out of the Dixie Union mare Southern Silence. She represented back to back winners for all her connections – Winstar Farm LLC, Blazing Meadows Farm LLC, Michael Lewis, trainer Tim Hamm, and jockey Santiago Gonzalez.
Drillit and Valley of Mo’ara were second and third but, when no one went with Esplanande, it was only a matter of how many lengths her final margin would be. This was her second time facing older horses and she has now won both races by a combined 25 3/4 lengths!
Esplanande’s victory was a fitting end to an exciting Best of Ohio Stakes Day Even on a wet afternoon, the folks at Belterra put on a great program.
Congratulations to all winning connections. The next Best of Ohio will be at Thistledown on August 14th. Come out and enjoy what promises to be another great day of Ohio racing!
