With Claude Huckabone, III steering for trainer Jessica Okusko, Diamond Stick Pin ($5.70) turned in a gritty performance in Saturday’s sixth race, rallying from sixth and last in the early going and exploding from fourth at the top of the stretch to nip the front-striding Restless Yankee by a nose in the 1:51.4 mile.
The time bettered the season’s local speed standard by one tick of the timer, and improved Diamond Stick Pin’s current record to three victories in seven starts.
It was the 22nd lifetime tally for the 6-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight--Silksndiamonds, who is shared in ownership by Conrad Zurich, Edwin Gold and Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stables. His career winnings now stand at $427,100.
Veteran reinsman Rick Plano, last season’s runner-up on both the driving and training charts at the Downs, collected four wins during Saturday’s 12-race card.
The 60-year-old Frankfort, N.Y. native won with the pacers Devil’s Bargain, Dynamic Rayzer, Joba Jovi and trotter Neon Dream to record the first four-win performance by a driver at the five-night meeting.