EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Diamond Play made the first appearance of her 49-race career at the Meadowlands a winning one, surging to the front coming out of the final turn and then holding on for a three-quarters of a length victory in Friday’s featured $24,000 starter allowance during the second night of the Monmouth at Meadowlands meet.

Ridden by Isaac Castillo and trained by Anthony Margotta, Jr., the 8-year-old Diamond Play won for the 13^th time in her career.

The winning time for the mile over a firm turf course was 1:36.29.

Castillo had Diamond Play in third behind dueling leaders Avenida Manana and Driven by Speed through an opening half in :46.85. The Jersey-bred daughter of E Dubai claimed the lead wheeling out of the final turn and then held off the late running Instinctive. It was another half-length back in third to Driven by Speed.

The win ended a run of six straight second- or third-place finishes for Diamond Play.

She paid $9.00 to win in the field of eight fillies and mares three and up.

The Monmouth at Meadowlands meet resumes on Friday, Oct. 8, with a six-race, all-turf card. First race post time is 7 p.m.