Saratoga Showdown: Chad Brown Aims for Ninth Diana Stakes Victory
In the high-stakes world of horse racing, the stage is set for an epic showdown as Trainer Chad Brown aims to secure his ninth victory in the prestigious Grade 1, $500,000 Diana Stakes this Saturday at Saratoga. The field of 10 female turf runners, vying for the 1 1/8-mile prize, includes a formidable five-strong contingent from Brown’s barn.
The Diana Stakes has been a veritable playground for Brown, who has won seven of the last eight editions since 2011. Past champions under his tutelage include prestigious names like Lady Eli, Sistercharlie (twice), Rushing Fall, In Italian, and last year’s victor, Whitebeam.
“Whitebeam will now seek to join the ranks of past two-time winners Sistercharlie and Forever Together, as she aims to defend her title and secure a repeat victory for owner Juddmonte, which would be their fourth win in this esteemed Grade 1 event.”
Detailed Field Analysis
- Moira (8-1) – Ghostzapper trainee Kevin Attard will send this millionaire mare from Woodbine, where she’s made the majority of her starts. She’ll make her 2024 debut after finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
- Coppice (6-1) – The Kingman filly, bred by Juddmonte, made her first eight starts in England before joining the Brown barn. She was second in the Distaff Turf Mile (G2) and sixth in the Just A Game (G1).
- Mission of Joy (15-1) – Trainer Graham Motion’s barn has been on a hot streak, and this Kitten’s Joy mare finished third in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) and Just A Game.
- Didia (4-1) – The experienced 6-year-old, with 11 wins and over $1.5 million in earnings, enters off victories in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2) and the New York (G1). She’s undefeated at the Diana’s 9-furlong distance.
- Gina Romantica (8-1) – The Into Mischief mare is a past Grade 1 winner but her last two starts, a fifth in the Just A Game and seventh in the Jenny Wiley (G1), have been subpar.
- Whitebeam (6-1) – The defending Diana champion, by Caravaggio, will try to become a two-time winner of this event. She’s been consistently competitive, with two second-place finishes in her last two starts.
- Fluffy Socks (6-1) – The Slumber mare, with four graded stakes wins, is coming off an impressive Gallorette (G3) victory at Pimlico and could be a factor.
- Neecie Marie (10-1) – The Cross Traffic mare broke through to win the Beaugay (G3) and was second in the New York (G1) in her last start.
- Evvie Jets (20-1) – The Twirling Candy mare was fourth in the Just A Game and eighth in the Distaff Turf Mile this year.
- Chili Flag (7-2) – The Cityscape mare, trained by Brown, brings a three-race graded stakes winning streak into the Diana, including victories in the Just A Game and Distaff Turf Mile.
With five runners in the field, it would be no surprise to see Chad Brown extend his Diana dominance. Chili Flag, in the best form of Brown’s entrants, will be the top choice, but any of the trainer’s talented fillies could emerge victorious in this prestigious turf event.
🔗 Source