Diplo on Turf: Fluke or Favorite

Diplo hopes to shine on Belmont Day on the opposite side of the country as he takes on seven others in another $40,000 claiming race at Hollywood Park. Diplo surprised many jumping up in class and finishing a strong second at this level in his first try over the turf. He isn't likely to be 40-1 again tomorrow and we will see if turf is truly his favored surface.

Here is the field:

1. Tis (Quinonez) - Broke his maiden over the main track at Santa Anita in a $32,000 Maiden Claiming race. Came back and finished 5th in a turf allowance here at Hollywood. Dropping in here to try and get things going again.

2. Summer at Del Mar (Talamo) - Broke his maiden over Diplo two starts back but Diplo fought him off in his last to beat him by 3/4 for second. Ready for the rubber match but has not worked well since that last start.

3. DIPLO

4. Siete Machos (Santiago Reyes) - Weakened last out finishing a last placed 7th in the race Diplo and Summers at Del Mar finished 2nd and 3rd. Adds a 16th of a mile...probably not.

5. Really Uptown (Bejerano) -After six weeks off, he's back on the turf dropping back into the claiming ranks. He's been more effective at lower levels, but the Beyers fit here.

6. Saravas Wild Again (Baze) - Only three starts at three he's been steadily improving in MSW company up north at Golden Gate. In for $40,000 here and going longer than he ever has and trying the turf for the first time.

7. Brother Louie (Valdez) - New Mexico bred broke his maiden at two at this distance over this turf course. Since then he has had a steady diet of 4th place finishes in New Mexico bred restricted races at Sunland Park. Looks to b a cut below.

8. Came Aboard (Espinoza) - DIPLO's stablemate looks tough in here. Claimed off a win at this level two back with a fourth in an $80,000 Optional Claimer last week.

Siete Machos and Really Uptown should press the pace early on. The other six entries all look to stalk from just off the pace and there is only going to be so much room to be able to do that. Breaking from the three hole should give Diplo a bit of an advantage early, but could get him trapped down on the rail late as the pack moves. Pedroza has done a great job since taking over as pilot in keeping Diplo out of trouble and should that continue tomorrow we're going to have a real chance. It looks to be a cavalry charge finish and we'll need some racing luck to nail it. We'll know tomorrow afternoon if Diplo is growing into a turf specialist.