Horse Race Preview: Grade I Dunkin’ Diana Stakes at Saratoga

0
100

The Grade I Dunkin’ Diana Stakes headlines the turf action at Saratoga on Saturday, July 12, as Race 11 (post time: 6:14 PM ET) on the inner turf. This $500,000 event for fillies and mares aged 4 and up spans 1⅛ miles, attracting a world-class field of six turf specialists, including multiple Grade 1 winners and international standouts. With elite pedigrees, top-tier jockeys, and powerhouse trainers, this race is a marquee moment of the summer meet.

Full Field Breakdown: Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees

PostHorseJockeyTrainerSire × Dam (Dam Sire)
1She Feels PrettyJohn R. VelazquezCherie DeVauxKarakontie × Summer Sweet (More Than Ready)
2Choisya (GB)Luis SaezSimon CrisfordNight of Thunder × Fragrancy (Singspiel)
3Lady Claypoole (IRE)Joel RosarioRichard BaltasStarspangledbanner × Short Affair (Singspiel)
4Excellent Truth (IRE)Flavien PratChad C. BrownCotai Glory × Moment of Truth (Teofilo)
5Dynamic Pricing (IRE)Dylan DavisChad C. BrownNight of Thunder × Shemda (Danehill)
6Be Your Best (IRE)Irad Ortiz Jr.Saffie A. Joseph Jr.Muhaarar × Kamakura (Street Cry)

Top Contenders & Strategic Insights

She Feels PrettyDivision Leader & Distance Specialist

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Form: Four-race win streak including G1 New York, American Oaks, QEII Challenge Cup

Pedigree: Karakontie × Summer Sweet; stamina and turf class

Jockey: Hall of Famer John Velazquez

Angle: Proven at 9f; versatile on firm and yielding turf; elite Beyer figures

Dynamic PricingChad Brown’s Rising Star

Trainer: Chad C. Brown (9-time Diana winner)

Form: Winner of G1 Just a Game and G3 Beaugay

Pedigree: Night of Thunder × Shemda; European turf influence

Jockey: Dylan Davis

Angle: Late-running style; excels on soft turf; improving with age

Be Your BestGamely Stakes Winner with Tactical Speed

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Form: G1 Gamely winner; three graded wins since December

Pedigree: Muhaarar × Kamakura; speed and stamina blend

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr., turf ace

Angle: Can press or lead; thrives on firm ground

Pedigree Power Plays

Excellent Truth (Cotai Glory × Moment of Truth): Group 3 winner in France; second in G1 Jenny Wiley and Just a Game

Choisya (Night of Thunder × Fragrancy): Dubai Group 2 winner; G1 Jenny Wiley winner at Keeneland

Lady Claypoole (Starspangledbanner × Short Affair): Santa Ana (G3) winner; second in Gamely; versatile and improving

Suggested Wagers:

Win/Place: She Feels Pretty

Exacta Box: She Feels Pretty / Dynamic Pricing / Be Your Best

Trifecta Key: She Feels Pretty over Dynamic Pricing and Excellent Truth

Race Details

Race: Dunkin’ Diana Stakes (Grade I)

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025

Time: 6:14 PM ET

Track: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY

Surface: Inner Turf

Distance: 1⅛ miles

Purse: $500,000