July 28, 2015
The Grade I $500.000 Diana at SAR had all the makings of championship event, as the biggest race meeting in North America kicked off in style, and Girl Talk and Attraction put on quite a show over nine-furlongs on the turf, with neither giving an inch before the weights of the former got the better of the latter, despite perfect trips from both. For Girl Talk, it might have been a career defining win after her debacle in the BEL Oaks and if the turf courses remain firm, she will be force for many years to come; for Attraction, it proved once again that she has the mettle to handle the best of her class on even terms, and that those looking at the Grade I Flower Bowl will have her to deal with when the distances get longer, and into her comfort zone.
The turf course at SAR on opening weekend was very firm and that played right into the hands of Mentioned Honorably (6.20) and In Dreams (27.05), who broke sharply from their outer posts, and Attraction (*1.70) brought herself right into the mix heading into the first turn. As that trio moved forward, Girl Talk (6.55) sat chilly outside of Flash For Cash (12.45) with End Times (9.90) hugging the fence and pressing forward, it was all a matter of who would get the ground saving trip. Everyone lined up three-by-three with Attraction going to the front heading into the backstretch but Mentioned Honorably got a tough trip inside and started to flatten out and that pushed others wider than expected through a sharp half-mile in 46.81. End Times shuffled out from behind the stalling stalker as In Dreams also began to fade, and that moved Flash For Cash farther and left Girl Talk wide on both turns, behind a leader who looked strong and in charge. But the three-year-old pressed forward passing six-furlongs in a wicked 1:09.92 as the chasers began to fade and the backfield started to rev up and at the head of the lane, the two leaders were engaged in a pitched battle with Flash For Cash trying to close. Attraction was tenacious on the lead but Girl Talk had the weights in her favour and wrested the lead away just outside the furlong marker and the closers were simply left with too much to do as the third-choice held sway for a half-length decision over her stubborn foe. Fair Quest (9.65) came with her rally way too late but was able to snag third from End Times, with Flash For Cash flashing home for fifth, just ahead of Le Fue de Quest (13.00) on the far outside. Hot Cop (11.85) and Short Dog (9.40) failed to menace at any point along the inside and both Mentioned Honorably and In Dreams backed away around the turn to wind up near the back of this preview for the BC F&M Turf.
Owner Brh Stables might be best known for horses they have sold over the years and while Whats Up was still a bargain at $1,500.000+, given what he earned, the bigger return on investment comes from $3.000 purchase Girl Talk, who now ranks as a two-time Grade I winner of more than $750.000 with her amazing score in the Diana. She now ranks as the second highest female horse at HRP, behind only her vanquished foe Attraction, and these two could meet once again in the Grade II Ballston Handicap, although the more lucrative Sands Point at this distance does seem like an attractive option as well.
Congratulations goes out to owner Nolespan Racing and their three-year-old filly Girl Talk, a rousing winner of the Grade I Diana at SAR!
Prediction Attraction / Girl Talk / Fair Quest
Winner Girl Talk
Three-year-old black filly
Danzigs Delight-Sweep The Yummy (Sweep The Dancer)
Owner Nolespan Racing
Time 46.81, 1:09.92, 1:33.52, 1:45.55
Overall
Girl Talk 6.55 pressed forward early, driving, held sway
Attraction *1.70 set pace, diligent, missed late
Fair Quest 9.65 wide rally, way too late
End Times 9.90 inside run, failed to quicken when asked
Flash For Cash 12.45 even effort
Le Fue de Quest 13.00 too far back early
Hot Cop 11.85 no threat
Short Dog 9.40 no threat
Mentioned Honorably 6.20 pressed pace, weakened
In Dreams 27.05 faded badly
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I
