Bahamian Squall’s first winner of 2024 is Sierra Diamond, who won at Mahoning Valley with a little help from the stewards – by disqualification.

    With Terry Houghton aboard, the 6-year-old mare bred by Donald Dizney led every step of the way in the 5 1/2-furlong race through fractions of :22.50 and :46.55, but she was unable to hold off Cerviche approaching the wire. However, the stewards determined that Cerviche had fouled another horse in mid-stretch and she was taken down and placed fourth, with Sierra Diamond moved up to No. 1.

    Sierra Diamond paid $11.20 in winning for the first time in one year and four days. She raised her record to 6-6-3 in 47 starts, and the $10,560 check increased her bank account to $111,969.