Diane victor to race in U.S.

Latice, winner of the Prix de Diane (French Oaks), has been bought privately by George Strawbridge and withdrawn from her date in the auction ring at the Tattersalls December sale on Wednesday.

The Pennsylvania-based Strawbridge completed the deal for Latice, a 3-year-old daughter of Inchinor, last week. Formerly owned by Enrico Ciampi, Latice is trained in France by Jean-Marie Beguigne, who will prepare her for the 1 1/4-mile Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Dec. 12, after which she will be sent to the United States to race as a 4-year-old.

Latice was an accomplished 2-year-old, following a maiden score at Fontainebleau with a victory over colts in the 1 1/8-mile Group 3 Prix de Conde. After having won the 1 1/8-mile, 55-yard Group 3 Prix Vanteaux in her 3-year-old debut, she landed the 1 5/16-mile Prix de Diane on June 13, after which she was given the traditional French summer vacation.

Eighth behind Team Valor's Sweet Stream in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille on Sept. 12 in her first try going 1 1/2 miles, her most recent effort came on Oct. 3 when she finished seventh in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, just four lengths behind the victorious Bago. She leaves France for Hong Kong on Thursday, having won 4 of 6 career starts for earnings of $434,715.