Phoenix Thoroughbred III Ltd.'s $1.7-million OBS March sale topper Diamondsandpearls (Congrats) looks to continue to repay that investment in Saturday's GII Sorrento S. at Del Mar. The :9 4/5 breezer has lived up to the hype so far–she donned cap and gown by an empathic 6 1/4-length margin while garnering the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction for a front-running effort in Arcadia July 2. Surrender Now (Morning Line) might have brought 'only' $220,000 at Barretts March, but she's a bit more proven than Diamondsandpearls at this point. She bested promising two-time runner-up Tyfosha (Flatter) on debut June 9, and aired by eighth lengths in the July 2 Landaluce, earning a 79 Beyer Speed Figure compared to the 70 Diamondsandpearls received for her unveiling. In addition to Surrender Now, Peter Miller will saddle Midnight Summer (Midnight Lute), who scored by daylight in for the $62,500 tag here July 20. Spectator (Jimmy Creed) was also a blowout winner of her first start–she ran up the score to 5 1/4 lengths in maiden special weight company June 23, and was further flattered by four next-out winners from that heat, including 'Rising Star' Medaglia Gold (Medaglia d'Oro).
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