By Jarrod Horak
The Grade 1 Diana Stakes returns to Saratoga on Saturday, July 18, featuring a talented field of fillies and mares competing over 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf for a $500,000 purse. As always, the race attracts some of the top turf runners in New York, and one trainer once again dominates the conversation: Chad Brown.
Chad Brown’s Remarkable Diana Record
Few trainers have owned a race the way Chad Brown has owned the Diana Stakes. Brown has won the race ten times, including victories with standout mares such as Zagora, Lady Eli, Sistercharlie, Rushing Fall, In Italian, Whitebeam, and Excellent Truth.
This year, Brown sends out four runners, giving him another strong opportunity to extend his remarkable record.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
#1 Dynamic Pricing (6-1)
Dynamic Pricing enters off a solid second-place finish and was third in last year’s Diana for Chad Brown. She has an excellent Saratoga record with two wins and two third-place finishes in four starts.
One factor working in her favor is the possibility of rain in the forecast. She has proven she handles softer turf, including a Grade 1 victory over yielding ground. If rain softens the course, her chances improve significantly. From the rail, she should enjoy a ground-saving trip before making her late run.
#2 Cathedral (6-1)
The European invader has faced quality competition overseas and produced a respectable fourth-place finish in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf after stalking the pace.
The concern is her lack of winning punch. Despite several competitive efforts, she owns just one victory from eleven career starts. She has enough class to hit the board but must improve to earn the win.
#3 Kathynmarissa (2-1)
Kathynmarissa is the second Chad Brown runner and she appears poised for a peak effort in her third start of the season.
After returning from a lengthy layoff with a graded stakes victory, she followed that performance with a solid third-place finish despite racing wide throughout the Grade 1 New York Stakes. This time she draws a much more favorable inside post, which should allow Jose Ortiz to save valuable ground.
Versatility is another major asset. She can settle just behind the pace or close from farther back depending on how the race unfolds. With an expected better trip, she looks capable of turning the tables on her stablemate Portfolio Duration.
#4 Portfolio Duration (5-2)
Portfolio Duration has done little wrong in her brief career for Chad Brown, winning three of five starts while finishing second in the other two.
She captured the Grade 1 New York Stakes after controlling the pace but has shown she does not require the lead to be effective. Her recent speed figures continue to improve, and her tactical style should once again put her in an ideal position throughout the race.
She looks like the main threat to morning line favorite Kathynmarissa.
#5 Five G (20-1)
Five G finished in the top three in all three turf starts but appears overmatched in this Grade 1 field.
Her recent turf speed figure against New York-bred stakes foes falls well short of what will likely be required to defeat this caliber of rivals. She may show early speed but will need dramatic improvement to contend.
#6 Segesta (3-1)
Segesta is the final Chad Brown trainee with multiple Grade 1 victories on her résumé.
Although she possesses the speed figures to compete, most of her recent success has come around one mile. Stretching back out to 1 1/8 miles raises some questions, and her previous efforts at this distance have not been as fast as her shorter races despite a pair of wins.
She is certainly capable of winning but is slightly less appealing than Brown’s other runners.
#7 Ozara (12-1)
Ozara brings a perfect 3-for-3 record at Saratoga, an angle that cannot be ignored.
However, recent performances have not matched her outstanding effort from last season when she earned a strong speed figure winning the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga. She will also need to overcome the outside post while finding significant improvement to threaten the favorites.
