G1 Diana Stakes challenge for Dickinson

Top US turf performer Dickinson takes on Lady Eli and Antonoe again in the nine-furlong G1 Diana Stakes, highlight of the opening weekend of Saratoga on Saturday, July 22. 

The five-year-old mare, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, ran an excellent race to finish a close third behind Antonoe, who was receiving 8lb, in the G1 Just A Game Stakes over a mile at Belmont Park on June 10.

She beat Lady Eli with a sensational display in the G1 Jenny Wiley Stakes, also over a mile, at Keeneland on April 15, when she ran on strongly after meeting trouble in running to score by a head. 

The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro also gained two turf Graded wins over nine furlongs in Florida earlier this year, taking the G2 Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in March and the G3 Suwannee River Stakes at Gulfstream Park in February. 

Paco Lopez, on board for her latest four starts, has the ride again on Dickinson, who breaks widest of all in the field of six. 

Kiaran McLaughlin commented: “Dickinson came out of the Just A Game Stakes in excellent shape and has been training great. 

“She gives us great confidence because she has only been beaten twice on the turf and gave both the winner and the runner-up 8lb in the Just A Game Stakes. 

“I have a lot of respect for both Antonoe and Lady Eli, but at least the weights are shifting in Dickinson's favour and we are looking forward to seeing how we get on.”