Brown breezes 4-year-olds, declares them ready for Diana

Trainer Chad Brown breezed horses on the Belmont Park inner turf on Sunday morning, including Lemista and Pocket Square, who are both on target for the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga.

The pair of Diana aspirants worked five furlongs in company Sunday with Lemista completing her work in bullet time of 1:01.80 outside of Pocket Square, who finished off in 1:01.89.

Owned by Peter Brant, Lemista earned a 100 Beyer in her North American debut in the Beaugay (G3) on May 8 at Belmont, finishing a late-closing second to Harvey’s Lil Goil. The 4-year-old daughter of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass was a Group 2 winner three starts back at the Curragh over yielding going.

Juddmonte Farm’s Pocket Square, a Group 3 winner in France, was impressive in her North American debut April 7 at Keeneland and subsequently was fifth as the lukewarm favorite in the Just a Game (G1) on June 5 at Belmont.

“They both worked well with one another and are going to the Diana,” Brown said. “Lemista has relished the time in between her races. With Pocket Square, I’m drawing a line through the Just a Game. She was lined up so well going into that race and there were things I was hopeful she would be able to overcome, but it didn’t quite work out.”

Brown has won the Diana six times, including the past five editions with talented turf distaffers Dacita (2016), Lady Eli (2017) Sistercharlie (2018 and 2019) and Rushing Fall (2020).

Saturday, Brown sent out Higher Truth for her stakes debut in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1), finishing a close third, beaten a half-length to Santa Barbara. Brown said the daughter of the late Galileo will target the Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G3) on Aug. 8.

“I thought she ran well. I was proud of her effort,” Brown said. “It looked like she was in for a good chance late in the race and picked up a piece of it at the end. We’ll probably move on to the next leg (of the Turf Triple series).”

Higher Truth arrived at the Belmont Oaks off two starts at 10 furlongs, breaking her maiden by a half-length on the inner turf on April 22 before defeating winners on June 10.

“She’s had three mile and a quarter races in a row, so she’s gained a lot of experience and fitness,” Brown said. “I think down the road she’ll be able to run even further.”

Brown said he could have at least two fillies for the Saratoga Oaks as Rocky Sky, previously considered for the Belmont Oaks, opted to wait for the second leg.

Also owned by Brant, Rocky Sky is a two-time winner in her native Ireland, capturing the 10-furlong Salsabil last out April 25.

“We thought she would benefit from more time going into the Saratoga Oaks, so that’s where she’s headed to,” said Brown.

Brown said recent allowance optional claiming winner Amy C will target the Lake George (G3), a one-mile, inner-turf test for sophomore fillies on July 13 at the Spa. The 3-year-old daughter of Charming Thought broke her maiden in March at Deauville before shipping to North America.

“It was a nice first time from out of the country for us. It seems like she’s ready for a stakes now,” Brown said.