Film Maker takes on Wonder Again

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Graham Motion was planning on running Film Maker next in the Beverly D. at Arlington on Aug. 13, but he had a change of heart and sent her to Saratoga on Thursday.

Film Maker is among 10 fillies and mares entered in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Diana. A 1 1/8-mile grass race, the Diana also features last year's winner, Wonder Again, and graded stakes winners Delta Princess, Sand Springs, Spotlight, Angara, Shadow Cast, Finery, and Que Puntual.

will vie for favoritism in the Diana. When they last met, Wonder Again was second, a neck in front of Film Maker, in the Grade 2 New York Handicap.

Film Maker, second in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, had a rough trip in the New York. After lacking racing room for much of the race, she rallied and was beaten a half-length by Wend. Javier Castellano rides.

Under the allowance conditions of the Diana, Film Maker carries 118 pounds, two fewer than Wonder Again.

Unfortunately for Wonder Again, rain is not in the forecast. She has won on firm courses, but often holds an advantage over her rivals when the turf is soft. Last year, Wonder Again won the Diana by 5 3/4 lengths over yielding turf.

Wonder Again will have to overcome post 10, but she has run well from outside posts in the past, including a third in last year's Filly and Mare Turf, when she broke from post 12. Trainer Jim Toner has named Edgar Prado to ride Wonder Again.

Bill Mott will saddle the uncoupled entry of Delta Princess and Sand Springs, both of whom are coming off wins in graded stakes. Sand Springs is probably at her best at a mile, but has two wins at the Diana distance. Delta Princess has won two straight Grade 3 stakes - the Mint Julep and the Locust Grove at Churchill - but would need a top effort to beat Wonder Again and Film Maker.

Spotlight, winner of the Grade 2 Lake Placid here last year, makes her second start off a layoff.

Shadow Cast has 3 wins in 5 starts this year, including two in graded stakes. Angara finished fifth against males in the Grade 1 Manhattan. Winendynme wheels back after a fifth-place finish in last weekend's Grade 1 Mabee at Del Mar.