‘DIABLO’ SCORES AT BIG M AS AHLE SWEEPS CO-FEATURES

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Frattina Diablo S and Create Escape emerged victorious in the Friday night co-features at The Meadowlands in a pair of $20,000 high-end conditioned trotting events for 3-year-olds with Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks dreams.

In the split for fillies, the Tony Alagna-trained Frattina Diablo S, sent to the gate as the 4-5 favorite, sat a three-hole down the backside before making her way towards leader Caviart Queen Emma, who set the pace at the quarter and half in :28.3 and :57.3, respectively.

“Frattina” was surging on the outside in second as the “Queen” clicked three-quarters in 1:25.4, but through the stretch, Frattina Diablo S, a daughter of Captain Corey-Lindy Strong, trotted away from her foes, hitting the wire 3¼-lengths clear of second-place finisher Che Bella in a lifetime-best 1:53.2. Chant was third.

“We were very high on her last year and (owner) Steve Stewart and I decided to stop after Lexington to give her extra time to grow up since she was such a big filly last year at 2 and she came in Jan. 1 a different animal,” said winning trainer Tony Alagna. “We have high hopes for her.”

Driven by Johnathan Ahle, Frattina Diablo S returned $3.80 after winning for the second time in seven lifetime tries.

Ahle completed a driving sweep of the marquee events after guiding Create Escape to victory lane for trainer Ake Svanstedt in the division for colts and geldings. The colt by Gimpanzee-Final Countdown completed the mile in 1:55.

Practical Man, the 7-5 favorite, was gunning for a second straight score, but after going parked for the first seven-sixteenths-of-a-mile before clearing the lead, he didn’t have it in the stretch, failing to hit the board, finishing fourth.

Create Escape vacated the pocket with an eighth-of-a-mile to trot and eased his way to a confident score, holding off the late-charging Sevenato by a half-length. Read The Room was third.

“He qualified well last week and felt good the whole way,” said Ahle.

After going off as the 3-1 third choice, Create Escape paid $8.80 to win.

A LITTLE MORE: Ahle led the driver colony with three wins on the night while Svanstedt’s double paced the trainers. … Jeremy Morrison recorded his first-ever driving win at The Meadowlands after guiding Classic Pickle to the winner’s circle in race eight. His significant other, Annie Stoebe, trains the 3-year-old by Tactical Landing-Classic Martine, who paid $15.80 after completing the mile in 1:55.1. … All-source betting on the 14-race card totaled $2,497,536. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:35 p.m.

PHOTO: Frattina Diablo S and driver Johnathan Ahle won the Friday night co-feature at The Meadowlands. (Credit: Lisa Photo)