Sistercharlie by a nose in Diana

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Sistercharlie continued trainer Chad Brown’s run of success in the Grade 1 Diana, while also continuing an uncanny run of frustration in this spot for colleague Graham Motion.

The Brown-trained Sistercharlie, after breaking flat according to jockey John Velazquez, finished with a furious run to nail the Motion-trained Ultra Brat in the final jump and win the $500,000 Diana Stakes by a nose at Saratoga.

For Brown, it was his third consecutive victory in this race – the margins being a nose by Dacita in 2016, a head by Lady Eli in 2017 and Sistercharlie – and fourth since 2011.

For Motion, it was his fifth runner-up finish in the Diana, starting in 2006. He lost last year’s Diana with Quidura by a head.

“This frickin’ race,” Motion said. “I lost it just the same way last year. I’ve not had luck in this race.”

Saturday might have been the toughest beat. Ultra Brat, a 15-1 shot who had sat second under Joel Rosario, took over from the pace-setting Hawksmoor in upper stretch and opened up a length-plus lead in midstretch.

Sistercharlie, who was fifth, 5 1/2 lengths back, after the opening half-mile run in 47.77 seconds, was floated wide around the turn and was widest of all in the stretch. Sistercharlie appeared to be stalled as she raced on her left lead until inside the eighth pole. When she did switch to her correct lead, Sistercharlie lengthened her stride and just got up.

“In midstretch I was worried that she wouldn’t get there, especially when she didn’t want to get to her correct lead in the lane,” said Brown, who trains Sistercharlie for Peter Brant. “When Johnny finally got here there, I could see her surging and it was a matter of whether she’d be on the right side of that photo and luckily she got there.”

Sistercharlie covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.26 and returned $4.30 to win as the even-money favorite.

Motion had wavered about running Ultra Brat in this race or the Matchmaker at Monmouth next weekend. He said he talked himself into running in the Diana.

“She reconfirmed what I thought; I thought she belonged in the race, just a tough beat,” Motion said.

Ultra Brat finished three-quarters of a length in front of A Raving Beauty – also trained by Brown – who had a tough trip. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had to steady her at the top of the lane, and then he had traffic in the stretch. She finished third by a half-length over Hawksmoor, who under Julien Leparoux closed the door on A Raving Beauty.

“Julien’s filly was getting out, he tried to control her and I see she keeps drifting out. I said ‘Let me stay here,” Ortiz said, meaning along the inside. “Then he goes back into the rail and I clip heels.”

Following Hawksmoor in the order of finish were Proctor’s Ledge, New Money Honey, and War Canoe.

Sistercharlie added the Diana to her resume that includes the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland earlier this year. Neither race is at a distance that Brown believes is ideal for the 4-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Myboycharlie.

Brown said he may wheel Sistercharlie back in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at 1 3/16-miles at Arlington Park on Aug. 11.

“I know it’s three weeks, but I think this filly is strong, she has a lot of constitution about her. She’s lightly raced, and if she’s sound I’m going to go to Chicago,” Brown said.