Sistercharlie, Rushing Fall May Meet in Diana
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Photo: Dana Wimpfheimer
Sistercharlie (outside) and Rushing Fall train in company in March at Palm Meadows
It might not take long for the fireworks to start at Saratoga Race Course as the opening Saturday of the 40-day meet may feature a showdown between two of the nation's best turf females.
Chad Brown-trained stablemates Sistercharlie, the champion turf female of 2018, and the once-beaten Rushing Fall are among a roster of seven prospective starters for the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T) July 13 at the Spa.
The 1 1/8-mile Diana would serve as the first start for Peter Brant's Sistercharlie since she won the Nov. 3 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T). According to Brant, the 5-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie was slowed by fever in February but has been training sharply lately, including a 1:00 2/5 bullet five-furlong work June 30.
Sistercharlie won the 2018 Diana by a nose over Ultra Brat. The talented bay had two other grade 1 wins in 2018, taking the Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) and the Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T). She has seven wins and three seconds in 11 starts, with earnings of $2,575,603.
Rushing Fall has won eight of her nine starts for Bob Edwards' e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and has already racked up a pair of grade 1 wins in 2019: the June 8 Longines Just a Game Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park and the April 13 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland.
The 4-year-old daughter of More Than Ready owns four grade 1 wins, including the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T). Her lone loss came by a neck last year in the Edgewood Stakes Presented by Forcht Bank (G3T).
Brown has two other multiple graded stakes winners lined up for the Diana in Brant's Homerique, who is 2-for-2 since arriving in the United States, and Rymska for Madaket Stables, Tom Coleman, Team Hanley, Elayne Stable 5, and Long Lake Stable.
The probable starters also include Beau Recall, Mitchell Road, and Secret Message.
The July 13 card will also feature the $150,000 Sanford Stakes (G3) for 2-year-olds.
The six probable starters in the six-furlong test are By Your Side, Cucina, Gin and Platonic, Memorable, Raging Whiskey, and Took Charge. Long Weekend and Tomato Bill are also possibilities.