Proper Discretion takes early lead, powers to Diana victory

Proper Discretion broke like a rocket and improved from there, romping by 8 1/4 lengths over a scratch-depleted field in Saturday’s $75,000 Diana Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares at Thistledown.

It was the second consecutive stakes victory for Proper Discretion ($2.80), who was coming off a victory in the Scarlet and Gray Handicap less than three weeks prior at Thistledown.

Breaking from the rail under Ricardo Feliciano, Proper Discretion established a length lead through her opening quarter in 22.06 seconds. She continued to edge away through a half in 45.20, and exploded once straightened away into the stretch, powering clear to her final margin.

She finished the six furlongs in 1:09.82.

“She ran a huge race, really impressive,” trainer Anthony Rini said. “Coming out the one hole, Ricky had to get her out of there, but she was on cruise control after that and when he asked her in the stretch she just exploded. The credit goes to [owner] Ron Paolucci. He gives me the ammo. I just have to pull the trigger.”

La Nina Bronca edged Mayas Queen Neetee, whose five-race win streak came to an end, by three-quarters of a length for second. It was another two lengths back to Chain Yanker, and six to Fast Justice to complete the order of finish. With three horses – the formidable Justalittlesmoke, Orientate to Luv, and Ali Blue – scratched, there was no show wagering on the remaining five-horse field.