Giant Diablo coming to Meadowlands for Su Mac Lad

February 27, 2008

Harnessracing.com European correspondent Lars G. Palm reports that world champion trotter Giant Diablo is headed to the United States next week where the 8-year-old mare will spend 17 days in quarantine before being prepped to race in the Su Mac Lad Series at the Meadowlands, which begins April 18.

Giant Diablo, an 8-year-old daughter of Supergill who has earnings of more than $1.8 million, set a world record last October at The Red Mile when she won the $108,500 Allerage final in 1:50.1, the fastest trotting mile in history (equaled later in the card by eventual Horse of the Year Donato Hanover). Prior to that she had made three starts at the Meadowlands, winning a $42,000 overnight event in 1:53.2, finishing third in an Open, and then making a break in the Nat Ray final.

Swedish horseman Roger Walmann trains Giant Diablo. He said the mare has not been let down since her Lexington race, continuing to train.

"She's in really good shape. She's better prepared than she's ever been," said Walmann.

Walmann plans for Johan Untersteiner to drive her in the U.S., if his racing schedule in Sweden and travel schedules permit. The young Swede drove the mare to her world record performance in Lexington. If Untersteiner is unable to drive the mare, Walmann plans to use David Miller, who drove her six times last year.

Between her starts at the Meadowlands and The Red Mile, Giant Diablo won the $93,000 Prestige Trot before shipping to Mohawk where she finished fourth in the $672,695 Maple Leaf Trot. Overall, her three North American wins last year helped propel her to more than $239,000 in earnings on this continent.

Walmann said following the Su Mac Lad�which has a second leg April 25 and a $100,000 (est.) final May 2�he plans on shipping Giant Diablo back to Sweden for the Elitlopp in late May. The mare would likely then make a return trip across the Atlantic Ocean for several stakes events in the U.S. and Canada.

Su Mac Lad Eligibles:

A Gentleman

A Touch Of Flair

American Lane

Before He Cheats

BJ�s Chinook

Brunton Lilly

Cosmic Man

CR Dream Catcher

Digital Image

Dink Adoo

Enough Talk

Euro Hanover

Flamewalker

Giant Diablo

Gonzo Diamant

Green Day

Hitwiththeladies

Lavec Dream

Lawman

Likeabatoutahell

Med Vac

Mr. Muscleman

Muscles Marinara

O-Georgie

San Remo Kosmos

Self Evident

Swan Image

Swanderful

Two Weeks Notice

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