Always B Miki filly ties record in $338,200 Three Diamonds

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Breeders Crown champ Miki And Minnie (Always B Miki) sat poised off tumultuous speed and thrusted forward from a helmet in the stretch to win the $338,200 Three Diamonds final, for 2-year-old harness racing pacing fillies, at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (Nov. 30).

Leaving from post 2, Miki And Minnie settled into fifth off a :26.3 scorcher uncorked by Chakra charging out of post 8 for the lead. Chakra refused to relinquish control up the backstretch, parking Faze until that challenger regressed through the field by a :54 half. All the while driver Dexter Dunn fished cover from Rodeo Drive Deo out of fourth and found a tow with a three-wide swoop to the far turn.

Dunn tucked behind Rodeo Drive Deo going to three-quarters in 1:21.4 and swung back outside for a stretch-drive assault. Miki And Minnie vaulted by Rodeo Drive Deo entering the final eighth and scooted away to a 1-1/2-length win in 1:49.2, equaling the stakes record established in 2019 by JK First Lady. Rodeo Drive Deo settled for second with Shes A Streaker chasing in third and Lyons Benz snagging fourth.

“She’s terrific,” trainer Chris Ryder said after the race. “She’s done everything we’ve asked of her and [this is] a great way to finish off the year. Looks like the 2-year-old of the year, eh? You can’t be the best unless you beat the best – they’ve thrown a lot at her and she’s come out on top in the three big races. I’m just honored to have her; she’s a lovely filly.”

Miki And Minnie, a homebred from the Roll With Joe mare That’s The Ticket, has now won six races from 11 starts and banked $834,086 for owners Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo and Lawrence Minowitz.

Sent the 4-5 favorite, Miki And Minnie paid $3.60 to win.\

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for The Meadowlands