AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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DIANA S. (G1), 7TH-SAR, $500,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/8MT, 4:12 P.M. EDT, 7-26 |
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| 1 |
BIT OF WHIMSY, 4, f, by Distorted HumorKristi B, by El Prado (Ire) O-Joyce B Young McManis Gerald; B-Bonner Young & Joyce B. Rowand (Ky) |
| 2 |
DYNAFORCE, 5, m, by DynaformerAletta Maria, by Diesis (GB) O-John A Chandler; B-Dr. John A. Chandler (Ky) |
| 3 |
BAYOU’S LASSIE, 5, m, by OutflankerBayou Plans, by Bayou Hebert O-Jacks or Better Farm; B-Jacks or Better Farm Inc. (Fl) |
| 4 |
WAIT A WHILE, 5, m, by Maria’s MonFlirtatious, by A.P. Indy O-Arindel Farm; B-W. S. Farish & W. Temple Webber Jr. (Ky) |
| 5 |
VACARE, 5, m, by Lear FanAppealing Storm, by Valid Appeal O-Jon & Sarah Kelly; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (Ky) |
| 6 |
CRIMINOLOGIST, 5, m, by Maria’s MonSearch Party, by Seeking the Gold O-Janney III Stuart S Phipps Stable; B-Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable (Ky) |
| 7 |
RUTHERIENNE, 4, f, by PulpitRuthian, by Rahy O-Virginia Kraft Payson LLC; B-Payson Stud Inc (Ky) |
| 8 |
FOREVER TOGETHER, 4, f, by Belong to MeConstant Companion, by Relaunch O-Augustin Stables; B-White Fox Farm (Ky) |
| 9 |
CHESTORIA, 4, f, by Chester HouseR D Fille, by Dixieland Band O-E El R Stable; B-Berkshire Stud and Oak Cliff Breeders’ Inc. (NY) |
| 10 |
LADY DIGBY, 4, f, by Grand SlamCompete, by El Prado (Ire) O-Mack Earle I; B-Earle I Mack (Ky) |
Saturday’s $500,000 Diana S. (G1) attracted a dynamite group of 10 turf
distaffers, but course condition could keep at least a couple of entrants from
starting. Plenty of rain fell during the first two days of the meet, but
Friday’s sunshine dried out the sod some. However, there’s a 30 percent chance
of precipitation on Saturday, and we’ll look for the turf to have some give to
it regardless.
CRIMINOLOGIST (Maria’s Mon) is two for two over the lawn at Saratoga, winning
an allowance/optional claiming event under “good’ conditions before taking the
Perfect Sting S. last season, and displayed an affinity for yielding ground when
easily capturing the Athenia H. (G3) last fall. The Shug McGaughey runner
recorded a solid win in the Beaugay H. (G3) two starts back, but she wasn’t able
to make an impact in the Just a Game S. (G1) last time after being steadied in
traffic. The one-mile distance was probably a little short for her, and the gray
mare will likely appreciate the stretch out to nine furlongs. Criminologist has
displayed a lethal late kick previously, and we believe she can develop into one
of the best turf distaffers on the East Coast. We’ll look for her to break
through with her first Grade 1 tally here.
BIT OF WHIMSY (Distorted Humor) made up ground late to finish sixth, beaten
only 2 1/2 lengths, in the Just a Game, and the four-year-old lass is another
who figures to benefit from the added ground here. The chestnut came to hand
last fall for Barclay Tagg, winning the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational
Challenge Cup (G1) and Mrs. Revere S. (G2), but she’s been unplaced in two
starts this season. She likes ground with some give to it, and Bit of Whimsy
appears capable of reverting back to form with a strong showing in the Diana.
BAYOU’S LASSIE (Outflanker) will be tested for class and distance, but she’s
a dangerous front runner who could last longer than expected on Saturday. The
Dale Romans trainee recorded an excellent front-running victory over the “good”
turf in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G3) three starts back, and she’s turned in
respectable showings in her last two outings on firm ground. The Florida-bred
figures to move forward over the expected conditions on Saturday, and she’s a
candidate to steal it on the lead.
FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong to Me) owns a formidable late kick, registering a
108 BRIS Late Pace rating for her third in the Just a Game last out, and the
Jonathan Sheppard pupil posted a nice score over yielding ground in the
Reluctant Guest S. two starts back. The four-year-old gray is on the upswing for
her Hall of Fame conditioner, and Forever Together looms as a late-running
threat for a minor award.
DYNAFORCE (Dynaformer) merits respect off an excellent second in the New York
S. (G2) last time, and the European import will be at home on turf with some
moisture in it. However, we’re worried about a bounce. We’ve seen plenty of
Europeans not run back to a strong showing in their stateside debut, and
Dynaforce doesn’t have a wealth of experience to draw upon. Despite those
concerns, Dynaforce was so impressive last time that we must consider her for
the exotics.
WAIT A WHILE (Maria’s Mon) moves up on firm turf, but the gray mare hasn’t
performed her best on off turf and could easily wind up being scratched by Todd
Pletcher. If the turf comes up satisfactory and she does compete, the classy
$1.8 million earner can’t be discounted from top three consideration.
Grade 1 winner VACARE (Lear Fan) is another one who probably needs firm
ground to start. She’s only made one appearance this season, an unplaced effort
at 5-2 odds in the Just a Game, but the Christophe Clement pupil is capable of
better. She wrapped up last year with a nice score in the one-mile First Lady
S. (G2), and owns a 3-2-1-0 mark at nine furlongs. We’ll take another look at her
if the course is firm.
RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit) didn’t fire her best over “good” ground in the All Along
Cup S. (G3) last out, and the filly has dropped her last two starts
after winning nine of her first 11. We’re concerned that she’s in a negative
form cycle and will just watch to see how she performs here.
CHESTORIA (Chester House) and LADY DIGBY (Grand Slam) will occupy the two
outside posts, and both have class concerns in this spot. We can’t recommend the
chances of either.