Giant Diablo wins in world record 1:50.1

Giant Diablo became the fastest trotter in history with a 1:50.1 victory Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile in the $108,500 Allerage Farms Open Trot, as the Swedish-owned 7-year-old mare defeated five male rivals to earn her spot in the record books. The time lowered Tom Ridge's previous all-age mark of 1:50.2 set in the 2004 World Trotting Derby and shattered the record for older trotting mares of 1:52.1 shared by Moni Maker, Kim's Lass and Peaceful Way.

 

Driven by Johan Untersteiner, a 23-year-old Swedish horseman who works for trainer Roger Walmann, Giant Diablo swung wide around the final turn after getting a second-over trip to get the win. Vivid Photo, driven by Roger Hammer, set fractions of :28.1, :55.1 and 1:22.4, with John Campbell bringing Corleone Kosmos up first-over around the final bend.

 

Walmann had Giant Diablo up right behind Corleone Kosmos and turning for home he swung his charge wide and rushed past both Vivid Photo and Corleone Kosmos. Corleone Kosmos, who had taken a short lead midway down the stretch before being passed by Corleone Kosmos, finished second with Vivid Photo third.

 

The win was Giant Diablo's third of the year in 13 overall starts; in North America since late June she has compiled a record of 6-2-0-1, with her prevous victories coming in the $300,000(C) Prestige at Hippodrome de Montreal Aug. 19 and a conditioned trot at the Meadowlands in her first start on this continent June 29. That 1:53.2 effort was her previous career mark.

 

The daughter of Supergill is owned by Tommy Jacobsson's Stall Zenith AB of Stockholm, Sweden. Her career earnings now stand at $1.8 million..