Handicapper's Corner: Diana Stakes (G1)

Short but Sweet Field of Fillies in Diana Stakes

By: Robert Marks, They're in the Gate (& on Twitter @theyreinthegate)

On Saturday, July 21, 2018, Saratoga Racecourse will be host to the First Grade One Stakes race of the 2018 Saratoga Season. The race is for Fillies and Mares three-year-old and older. The purse is $500,000 and it on the turf going 1 1/8 miles.

Here are the participants:

Here are the horses we will focus on:

A Raving Beauty — One of 3 Chad Brown trained horses this one looks to have the best shot. On board will be Irad Ortiz. The Brown/Ortiz combo at Saratoga is lethal. She can get the distance with a win and a 3rd place in Europe at 1 1/8 miles. She has tactical speed and look for Irad to make a move with her coming off the final turn. She also comes off 2 straight wins, the last at Belmont on June 9th in the Just a Game Stakes.

Proctors Ledge —  Chad Brown horses get bet heavily at Saratoga and if you want to look elsewhere we like Proctors Ledge piloted by Jose Ortiz. She also can get the distance with 2 first and 2 second place finishes out of 5 starts at the distance. Proctors Ledge finished 2nd too in the Just A Game Stakes at Belmont but this race is at Saratoga where Proctors Ledge is 2 for 2. A Raving Beauty has never raced at the Spa.  If he stays at 4-1 or higher we consider this a good value pick.

Hawksmoor — With the Chad Brown horses most likely going off at low odds we like to always mix in a longshot, particularly if you are playing trifectas and exactas. This horse has not raced in 56 days and never raced at Saratoga. We will throw out her last start (5th place) as she stumbled badly out of the gate. I don’t expect her to get much attention at the betting windows. She has gone 1 1/8 miles 3 times finishing 3rd twice. In a small 7 horse field definitely worth a look.

With a short field and 3 Chad Brown horses running you will have to watch the tote board and see where the odds are going before placing final bets. We will gamble that Proctors Ledge and Hawksmoor can beat the 3 Chad Brown horses including A Raving Beauty. If this happens the payouts should be good.

Wagering/Betting Handigambling Bankroll

Here is our $100 worth of betting for the race

Trifecta ($10 Box for $60 Total)  2,6,7

Exacta Box: $10 Exacta Box ($40) 2,7

As always, watch the Board and if at the track watch how the horses look in the Paddock and adjust your bets accordingly.

Good Luck! a