Proper Discretion seeks repeat win in Diana Stakes

The top four finishers from the Scarlet and Gray Handicap earlier this month, led by repeat winner Proper Discretion, get a rematch in the $75,000 Diana Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares on Saturday at Thistledown.

The Diana is the co-feature on Saturday’s card along with the $75,000 Emerald Necklace Stakes for Ohio-accredited 2-year-old fillies. These are the final stakes in Ohio until Thistledown hosts the annual Best of Ohio program on Oct. 13.

Proper Discretion, trained by Anthony Rini for Loooch Racing Stables, wired the field for her repeat victory in the Scarlet and Gray, leading home Ali Blue by a length. It was the fifth stakes victory for the mare, including last year’s Diana by 8 1/4 lengths over La Nina Bronca.

Proper Discretion drew post 2 for Saturday under Ricardo Feliciano.

Ali Blue stalked in third throughout the five-horse Scarlet and Gray before overtaking Striking Lass for second. Ali Blue drew the rail for the Diana, with Ronnie Allen Jr. in the irons for trainer Tim Hamm.

Striking Lass held third by a nose over La Nina Bronca in the Scarlet and Gray.

Along with Proper Discretion, Loooch Racing Stables also has the graded stakes-placed Heavenhasmynikki in the field for the Diana. Heavenhasmynikki finished ninth in this year’s Kentucky Oaks, then returned to her native Ohio, where she most recently won an allowance at Thistledown. Heavenhasmynikki ran third in the Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream in March.

Dotthei and Put Up With It, both allowance winners last out, complete the field.

Earlier on the card, Hey Adrian will look for her second consecutive stakes win in the Emerald Necklace after winning the Loyalty Stakes on a sloppy Belterra Park track earlier this month. She owns a pair of wins at the six-furlong distance of the Emerald Necklace.

Hey Adrian, bred, owned, and trained by Joshua Faulkner, landed post 5 in the field of six, with regular rider Juan Velez aboard.

Show Me Some Sass defeated Hey Adrian in her maiden score over the summer. Maiden-race winner Financing Dreams and the maidens Copper Trail, Crypto’s Twin Mill, and Radiant Bird complete the field.