Nines were rolled in the $500,000 Diana (G1) on Saturday, as Whitebeam became the ninth filly or mare to win the historic Saratoga fixture twice, while giving trainer Chad Brown his ninth win in the 1 1/8-mile grass test.
The controlling speed in a field of 10, Whitebeam set a moderate pace of :24.26, :49.49, and 1:13.76, and found plenty through the stretch to score by three parts of a length under Flavien Prat. It was Whitebeam’s first win in five starts since taking the Diana by a nose 12 months ago.
“Flavien thought when we spoke about the race this morning that she would be happiest if she could just get to the lead,” Brown said. “His plan was to go out there and try to control the race and see if she was good enough to hold on.”
All of Brown’s wins in the Diana have come since 2011 and included the last repeat winner, champion Sistercharlie (2018-2019). The others to pull the double since the Diana was moved to the grass were Forever Together (2008-09), Glowing Honor (1988-89), and Hush Dear (1982-83).
When the Diana was contested on dirt, repeat winners included champions Shuvee (1970-71) and Tempted (1959-60), Searching (1956, 1958), and Miss Grillo (1946-47).
A homebred campaigned by Juddmonte, Whitebeam completed the course in 1:48.14 on firm ground and paid $11.60. Moira, making her first start since the Breeders’ Cup in November, edged Gina Romantica for second by a nose. Didia, the 2-1 favorite, finished fourth and was followed by Coppice, Mission of Joy, Evvie Jets, Fluffy Socks, Chili Flag, and Neecie Marie.
Whitebeam, who preceded her win in the 2023 Diana with a score in the Gallorette (G3) at Pimlico, saw a subsequent lapse in form when finishing fourth in the First Lady (G1) and Matriarch (G1), both of which were won by stablemates. However, her form entering Saturday was much improved. Though she finished second both times, she was only a neck behind Neecie Marie in the Beaugay (G3) and a half-length off Chili Flag in the Just a Game (G1).
“I was cautiously optimistic she’d run her best race of the year the way she was training since her last race,” Brown said. “It’s really how her year started off last year — she needed one run to get going and she got better as the year went on.”
An English-bred daughter of Caravaggio, Whitebeam was produced by Sleep Walk, an Oasis Dream half-sister to St Leger (G1) winner Logician. The gray has now won six of 14 starts and more than $855,000.
Earlier in the card, Carl Spackler got back on the winning track with a half-length decision over long-time leader Talk of the Nation in the $162,750 Kelso (G3).
Fifth of seven in the June 8 Poker (G3), his first loss in three appearances at Saratoga, Carl Spackler rebounded under Tyler Gaffalione to win for the fifth time in eight lifetime appearances.
Trainer Chad Brown said Carl Spackler’s loss in the Poker might have been the result of a hard race in his season debut, the May 2 Opening Verse S. at Churchill Downs, in which he beat Talk of the Nation by a head.
“In the last race, in hindsight, maybe he bounced a little bit off the Churchill race,” Brown said. “He had a challenging trip in there and was able to gut it out off a long layoff.”
Owned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, Carl Spackler completed the one-mile Kelso in 1:34.72 and paid $3.50. Talk of the Nation had a 3 3/4-length margin on Northern Invader, and trailing far back was Call Me Harry.
Carl Spackler, who last season captured the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) and Saranac (G3) at Saratoga, might aim for the Fourstardave H. (G1) on Aug. 10, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Mile (G1) at Del Mar.
An Irish-bred son of Lope de Vega, Carl Spackler was produced by Grade 2 winner Zindaya, a More Than Ready half-sister to Grade 1 winner Western Aristocrat.
