By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
Summer is here, and so is racing in Saratoga. The dear New York race kicks off Thursday and the first of many Tier 1 races on the agenda — the $500,000 Diana S. (G1) prize — is scheduled for Wednesday. Seven.
The 1/8-mile field test for bats and mares has been dominated in recent years by coach Chad Brown, who won consecutive editions from 2016 to 2020. He also won. first prize in 2011, giving Brown a half-dozen Diana wins. from the past 11 years.
Chances are, Brown will get a seventh Diana win on Saturday. Four of the six participants were conditioned by Brown, and they included a formidable quartet. All four are classified bet winners with encouraging credentials to offer.
First of all, yes #1 Technical Analysis, winner of the Gallorette S. (G3) gate-to-wire tournament at Pimlico two months ago. Kingman’s four-year-old daughter brings a lot of tactical speed and as a 2v2 opponent on the Saratoga lawn, she used a set-and-follow strategy to defeat Lake Placid S. (G2) and Lake George S. . (G3) here last summer.
But Technical Analysis is not the only quick job in Diana’s field. In addition to the intern Al Stall # 5 Dalikapacesetting runner-up in Mint Julep S. (G3) at Churchill Downs last month, own stable friend Technical analysis #6 In Italian figures to be featured soon. The progressive four-year-old has hit the pace in four of her last five starts, winding Honey Fox S. (G3) at Gulfstream over the winter and most recently finishing home for third in a miles Just a Game S. (G1) in Belmont.
A contentious pace in Diana can play to Brown’s strengths #4 Rougir, who launched a sharp rally from behind at slow pace to win the 1 1/16 mile Beaugay S. (G3) at Belmont two back starts. Winner of the 1/4-mile Prix de l’Opera (G1) in France last fall, Rougir disappointed on a similar trip to the New York S. (G1) in Belmont last month, coming in at No. 5 as the favorite team. . But Rougir was only beaten two lengths when trying to get close to pedestrian speed, so with the faster fractions in Diana, she qualifies to recover at the hands of hot jockey Flavien Prat.
But the most formidable of all Brown’s interns is definitely 3 Bleecker Street. The unstoppable four-year-old has gone undefeated in seven starts, including four consecutive ranked wins. After rallying with flashy scores in Endeavor S. (G3) and Hillsborough S. (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs, Bleecker Street created a fierce rally among rivals to overcome the slow pace. and won at Modesty S. (G3) at Churchill Downs by half length.
These efforts preceded a sensational victory in the New York S. (G1), in which Bleecker Street trailed slow for most of the journey before picking up speed the last quarter of a mile oddly: 21 .70 per Trakus to get up and defeat a fieldworm (including the aforementioned Rougir) by half its length.
Bleecker Street doesn’t know how to lose, and her excellent footwork became even more impressive at the start of this season. The only time she’s caught up to the fast pace this year, she’s edged Hillsborough to 3 3/4 lengths, so I’m optimistic that a faster pace in Diana will help Bleecker Street deliver an impressive win. most iconic to date. With three-time Eclipse Award-winning equestrian Irad Ortiz, I hope to see Bleecker Street visit the winners’ circle again on Saturday.
Completing this field is like the Godolphin family #2 Exquisite Creativity, the coach – Charlie Appleby – won this race in 2021 with Althiqa. Creative Flair has held it twice in the US, finishing third in the Saratoga Oaks (G3) 1 3/16 mile race and fourth in the 1/8 mile Jockey Club Oaks last fall. Both races have modest speed fractions and may be a bit further than the Creative Flair wants to run. She’s a great winner of the Balanchine S. (G2) 1/8 mile to kick off the year in Dubai, so if she’s up to the fast pace while trailing the same distance in Diana, I might. envision Creative Flair’s landing a top four finish.
Option
1: Bleecker Street
Monday: Rougir
Tuesday: Technical analysis
Fourth: Creative flair
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in Diana Stakes?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, amputee, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers the Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
