Happy Dunkin’ Diana Day! 

This year the Diana Stakes has been joined by the Bowling Green Stakes on this opening Saturday. This move puts the Bowling Green on the calendar before the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth and it’s now positioned a month before the Arlington Million. Hopefully, this change draws better fields to this local prep to the Sword Dancer which has been moved from the Travers Day card to early August to get it away from the Kentucky Downs meet.  

Trivia Question: What is the Bowling Green Stakes named for? 

Race 8  – The Bowling Green Stakes – Grade II 

One Mile and Three Eighths on the Inner Turf for Four Years Olds and Upward 

1. Starting Over: Last out in the Cape Henlopen Stakes he pressed the pace and got to the lead but couldn’t hold off the closers (94 Beyer) finishing a nice third.  Could contend if he returns to his 2024 form. Third race of the form cycle. Exotics.
2. El Rezeen: Substantially improved once Pletcher fully stretched out this English Channel colt. In April he ran fine off the layoff at Keeneland in Allowance company finishing second (90 Beyer). Needs to move forward off that effort. Has been working at Saratoga in advance of this. Distance is right up his alley and both of his career wins are at the Spa. Possible underneath play.
3. Tawny Port: Ignore the last race in the off the turf New York Stakes. He was going great last summer hitting the board in stakes races – but he went off last form in the Fall and hasn’t regained it. The Clement barn has tried different jocks and tactics, but it hasn’t helped. Hold off. 
4. Tucson: Lightly raced Pletcher trainee has five career races with only two on the turf.  Last out in his first turf stakes effort in the Manhattan he stopped running coming off the turn after pressing the pace. That doesn’t bode well as this race is an additional two furlongs. Pass.
5. Webslinger: Ships in from Woodbine where he was a close second in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes (86 Beyer) on the all-weather. He stretches back out today and will need to show he can regain last year’s form.  Second race off a long layoff. Lean against.
6. Harrow: Was a decent second in the Cape Henlopen Stakes last month at Delaware Park (95 Beyer) after stalking the pace but was bested by a deep closer. Two back Saffie Joseph shipped him to Barbados and he won the Barbados Gold Cup. He can stalk or press the pace. Irad takes over the saddle. Gets a piece.
7. Far Bridge: Very serious player who just missed in the Manhattan (99 Beyer) after winning the Man o’ War (99 Beyer) at the Big A and the Pan American (96 Beyer) at Gulfstream Park.  Going eleven furlongs should suit. He is tactical enough to stay close to a reasonable pace and is uber consistent and can out finish this field from that position. The Pick.
8. Corruption: Four year old made a big step forward in the Pan American where he led for most of the race and almost hung on (96 Beyer). Last out in the Manhattan Stakes he broke slowly and was out of position. Should be sent forward from this outside post. Finished a neck behind Far Bridge in the Pan American. Hits the board.
9. Yo Daddy: (MTO) This one moves forward on a wet track. In his most recent he was a distant second in the off the turf New York Stakes (88 Beyer). If it’s sloppy – use him.
10. Kucha: (MTO): Uncle Mo colt tired while he was wide all the way in his first race since September against allowance company at the Spa last month. May have needed one – if he returns to last year’s form he is dangerous. Using on the dirt.
11. Game Warden: (MTO) Ran well in two marathon dirt races with a decent second in the Temperance Hill at Oaklawn (96 Beyer).  If this comes off the turf he’s the one. The Pick.

Picks 7-6-8-1 Dirt Picks 11-10-9 

Trivia Answer: The Bowling Green Stakes is named for a public park adjacent to The Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan Island. It is the oldest public park in NYC dating from 1733. 

Race 11 – The Dunkin’ Diana Stakes – Grade I 

One Mile and an Eighth on the Inner Turf for Fillies & Mares Four Years Old and Up 

1. She Feels Pretty: Impressive in the New York Stakes as she was wide the whole way but still wore down the leader to get her fourth win in a row (100 Beyer). Two back she won the Grade III Modesty Stakes at Churchill (96 Beyer) as she kicked clear late. Pace presser type has never been off the board in all ten career starts. Logical favorite.
2. Choisya: Won two Group 2 races in Dubai this winter and then came back to our shores and won the Jenny Wiley where she got a rail riding trip (101 Beyer). Most recently in the Just a Game Stakes she faded late after being three and then four wide over a yielding Spa turf course. Right there with a rebound. The Pick.
3. Lady Claypoole: Has been running well on the West Coast as she won her first three starts this year, including the Grade 3 Santa Anita Stakes (93 Beyer). Then in the Grade I Gamely Stakes she was a no threat second (90 Beyer). Off the pace type. Passing.
4. Excellent Truth: Was a strong second in the Just a Game where she moved in tandem with her stablemate, Dynamic Pricing, who out finished her (99 Beyer). Two back in the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland she was in position but got shut off at the sixteenth pole (100 Beyer). Contender.
5. Dynamic Pricing: Got a nifty ride by Dylan Davis in the Just A Game as she saved ground and then tipped out to run down the leaders and hold off her stablemate (100 Beyer). Two back she won the Beaugay as she was ten wide off the turn but was able to close into a hot pace and got up in the last couple of strides (93 Beyer). Player.
6. Be Your Best: Has won four of her last five starts with her only defeat in the Jenny Wiley where she tired. Wired the field in the Grade I Gamely Stakes last month (93 Beyer). Had the big win in the Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf last winter (98 Beyer). Extra distance should suit. The Jenny Wiley may have been too sharp for her.  Should be the pace. Exotics possibility.

Picks: 2-1-5-4