Trainer Christopher Paasch thought he had something special in Diplomat Lady after the two-year-old filly bounced back from two defeats at Del Mar to win a six-furlong allowance race in 1:09.4 at Hollywood Park last month, earning an 85 Beyer for the performance. On Sunday, he knew for sure that he did when longshot Diplomat Lady broke on top of a crowded Starlet field and won the race by a neck over favorite Balance. Diplomat Lady's win gave Paasch his first grade one victory. "I feel like jumping out of my skin," said a very happy Paasch after. The filly was the longest shot to ever win the Starlet, paying $80.

Jockey Tyler Baze professed no surprise at Diplomat Lady's performance:

Runner-up Balance, undefeated going into the Starlet, rated in third for much of the race, until the stretch when she made a very game effort to challenge Diplomat Lady for the lead. Diplomat Lady pulled away and it looked for a second that Balance might try again; she didn't. The filly was clearly second best yesterday. Third place finisher Sabatini might be one to watch in future races -- near the back of the field for most of the race, she made up nearly 13 lengths in the stretch.

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Diplomat Lady wasn't the only upset winner in Sunday stakes. Banjo Picker, a 47-1 shot, won the Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct.

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Aqueduct's winter break begins today; racing will resume on December 28 with a stakes race for New York-breds, a Pick 6 carryover, and quite possibly, a bankruptcy filing for NYRA. "How did things go so far?"

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