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Stream of Gold in search of elusive win in Mac Diarmida Though winless in five starts in the United States, STREAM OF GOLD (Ire) (Rainbow Quest) figures to be a solid favorite to end that skid when he takes on 11 rivals in Sunday's $150,000 Mac Diarmida H. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Stream of Gold drew post 9 in the 1 3/8-mile turf event, which honors the 1978 Eclipse Award-winning turf champion. Following his importation last summer, Stream of Gold was consistently matched against some of the best in North America and performed admirably, finishing second to eventual champion English Channel in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) and then running a close fourth in the Canadian International (Can-G1) at Woodbine. More recently, Stream of Gold finished third in his season debut in the Gulfstream Park Turf (G1). Stream of Gold is the Mac Diarmida co-highweight at 117 pounds, but will be conceding only one or two pounds to his rivals. Regular rider Eddie Castro will be aboard the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee. SILVER WHISTLE (Alphabet Soup), whose recent Gulfstream allowance victory snapped a losing streak dating back to the 2006 Pan American H. (G3), drew the rail in the Mac Diarmida and will have Kent Desormeaux aboard for trainer Bill Mott. During his extended losing streak, Silver Whistle did manage a Grade 1-placing in the 2006 Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga. In an abbreviated five-start campaign last year, Silver Whistle's third in the Bowling Green H. (G2) at Belmont was his best finish in a stakes. DRILLING FOR OIL (Giant's Causeway), the Ken McPeek trainee who has been ineffective in shorter allowances of late, stretches back out to what may be his preferred distance in the Mac Diarmida. The five-year-old chestnut scored two wins last year, a grassy Gulfstream allowance at 11 furlongs and the 1 1/2-mile Louisville H. (G3) over the Churchill Downs turf. PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem), upset winner in two graded stakes last year, will also carry 117 pounds. The five-year-old gelding was the 10-1 upset winner of the Cliff Hanger H. (G3) at the Meadowlands last September, and later turned in a 67-1 shocker over favorite Stream of Gold in the 12-furlong W. L. McKnight H. (G2) at Calder in December. The field for the Mac Diarmida, from the rail out with riders and weights, is Silver Whistle, 116; CROTON ROAD (Mr. Greeley), Eduardo Nunez, 115; TRUE CAUSE (Storm Cat), John Velazquez, 116; Drilling For Oil, Manoel Cruz, 115; ASCERTAIN (Ire) (Intikhab), Rene Douglas, 116; Presious Passion, Jose Lezcano; BIG PRAIRIE (Danzig), Edgar Prado, 116; FRENCH VINTAGE (Mecke), Junior Alvarado, 115; Stream of Gold; PLEASANT STRIKE (Smart Strike), Javier Castellano, 116; COUGAR BAY (Ire) (Daylami [Ire]), Eibar Coa, 116; and PELLEGRINO (Brz) (Nugget Point [Ire]), Cornelio Velasquez, 116. DYNANTONIA (Dynaformer), with Javier Castellano listed ride, and BARASTRAIGHT (Barathea [Ire]), with Joe Bravo aboard, are on the also-eligible list.
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