The 2025 Diana Stakes

The field may be small for the 2025 Grade 1 Diana, but it is quality. Only six are scheduled to go to post but there are a few nice ones in there.

Last week we thought we had a vulnerable favorite in Nitrogen and although she ran big, she did get beat. In the Diana She Feels Pretty will be even money or less and may be a tougher out than Nitrogen was, but I do think she can be had.

I think Excellent Truth is sitting on a big race and in my view a likely win I the Diana. I think she was much the best in Jenny Wiley at Keeneland when she came second to Choisya who she will face again here. She ran a good second following that to Dynamic Pricing on a wet turf course and she will also meet that rival again here. I think she will turn the tables on both.

First, this will be a mile and an eighth and I believe that will be a difference maker. It will be her third start in the US and for Chad Brown who has an outstanding record in this race. The firm turf she’ll see should give her plenty of spring in the closing burst I expect to see. She received a faster Thorograph number than the horse that beat her last time and I personally love that angle.

While I wish there was more speed to set her up, I still think she can outrun these late. I do expect trouble from She Feels Pretty but with a well-timed ride and good trip I say she gets her.

Earlier on the card I thought El Rezeen could be live at a nice price in the Bowling Green. Lightly raced and with some upside he loves Saratoga where he is two for two and he had to need that race back in April. Yes we have somewhat of another layoff but the fact Todd Pletcher brings him back here shows some confidence and other than the ultra-tough Far Bridge, the clear horse to beat we have no killers to deal with. Let’s see if we can go two for two the first Saturday of Saratoga.

 
I thought Opulent Restraint, Totally Justified, and May Day Ready all had upset chances. Ultimately, I landed on Totally Justified who coincidentally I made a bet on last time she ran. She ran a big second that day and I think she can and will go forward here and run better. She does have a win over the course, and she should be sitting in a good spot throughout.

May Day Ready was sharp last year until the Japan trip. Throw out the sloppy off the turf race last out and she looks good also. Like Totally Justified she will have to run faster than she has but both these fillies look to me to be heading in the right direction.

Opulent Restraint has improved with every start. She will have to continue that trend to win this, but she is trained by one of the best and she shows no signs of being anywhere near her best yet.

 
With three fillies I think are dangerous and moving forward I can’t take the 3-5 or so I’d get on Nitrogen. Yes she has been faster than these consistently at least so far but again they still have to run the race.