Bahamian Squall wasted no time getting his first winner of the new year, and it was as easy a score as any owner or trainer could hope for.

Sierra Diamond, a 3-year-old filly bred by Donald Dizney LLC, broke her maiden yesterday at Mahoning Valley in her seventh start, a $20,000 maiden special, after six unsuccessful tries in South Florida. With Fernando Salazar Becerra riding, Sierra Diamond was off quickly from the No. 3 post and took up a position in second place along the rail. When the pacesetter drifted off the inside turning for home, Becerra guided his filly through the opening and she never looked back, opening up by five lengths in mid-stretch and coasting home by nearly three.

Sierra Diamond, who had posted two seconds down south, paid a generous $33.80 while earning a check for $12,000.