by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Editor

Lexington, KY — Stall Zenith HB’s Giant Diablo, a 7-year-old trotting mare, scorched the Red Mile oval on Saturday afternoon in 1:50.1 in the $108,500 Allerage Farms Open Trot. That was the fastest mile in the history of the sport, breaking the old mark of 1:50.2 that was held by Tom Ridge and Vivid Photo.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Giant Diablo scorched the Red Mile oval on Saturday afternoon in 1:50.1 in the $108,500 Allerage Farms Open Trot.

Vivid Photo and Roger Hammer cut the fractions in this race, taking the field through fractions of :28.1, :55.1 and 1:22.4, with Giant Diablo enjoying the pocket trip in second.

Turning for home a first-over Corleone Komsos (John Campbell) came up alongside Vivid Photo and these two engaged each other down the stretch, only to have Giant Diablo (Johan Untersteiner) pass them both and draw clear to the finish in the 1:50.1 clocking. Corleone Kosmos got up for second, with Vivid Photo slipping to third.

The victory was just the third in 13 North American starts this year for Giant Diablo, who has now banked $281,886 on this side of the ocean.

“We have a strong horse,” said trainer Roger Walmann of Giant Diablo, “and she had bad luck in her most recent start (a fourth in the $672,695 Maple Leaf Trot Final last month at Mohawk).

“She was in very good shape this day.”

The headstrong mare doesn’t like to stand for winner’s circle photos and headed right back to the paddock after the race, but her performance has left a lasting impression on the sport.