Gezora continues ascent for Brant in Prix de Diane

Gezora carried the green silks of Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm to victory Sunday in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

It was a first French Oaks for Brant, who won the 2019 Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, with Sottsass, who went on to capture the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the next year. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard not only won his second Prix de Diane, he sent out the third- and fourth-place finishers, as well, with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Bedtime Story breaking up a clean Graffard sweep.

Racing last as her stablemate Merrily set the pace in the 1 5/16-mile Diane, Bedtime Story came swooping down the middle of the course with a strong, sustained run that fell one length short of Gezora, who got an excellent mid-pack stalking trip under Christophe Soumillon. Soumillon won four races on the card and landed his third Oaks, his first since the great Zarkava captured the 2008 renewal.

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Cankoura, a 15-1 shot, finished third, a half-length behind Bedtime Story, with race favorite Mandanaba fourth with a tough trip. Mandanaba got stuck three to four paths wide around the Prix de Diane’s sweeping turn while racing with no cover and faded slightly over the final 50 yards.

Gezora has not always carried Brant’s silks. He bought the filly after a four-start 2-year-old campaign that ended with a game Group 3 win over heavy going at Deauville. Gezora turned in even better performances this spring finding firmer footing and came to the Diane after a smart win in the Group 2 Prix Saint-Alary.

Gezora, a daughter of Almanzor, has an American connection besides Brant, having been produced by the Silver Hawk mare Germance.

No immediate plans were announced for Gezora, though with the strong record of 3-year-old fillies in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, bookmakers priced her up Sunday at about 15-1.

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