In Italian sets Saratoga course record to land Grade 1 Diana Stakes

Saratoga: Saturday

Four-year-old filly In Italian set a new course record when winning the Grade 1 Diana Stakes in dominant fashion under Joel Rosario for Chad Brown.

The rider was positive on the filly from the start and she ran the first quarter in 22.45 seconds and the half in 45.83. Her time of 1.45.06 broke the 1.45.22 set by Hard Not to Like in the same race in 2015.

The victory gave Brown a record-breaking seventh win in the race and, remarkably, his four runners filled out the places, with Technical Analysis finishing second, Grade 1 winner and favourite Bleecker Street in third and Rougir fourth.

The trainer refused to take the credit in the winner's circle, saying: "It's not just the right thing to say, it's the truth.

"When you're the lead singer in the band, you will have the tomatoes thrown at you, and you are the first one to get the applause. When you train hundreds of horses and you have hundreds of employees – that I call teammates – it's a lot of work."

In Italian is by Dubawi and was bred in Britain by Fairway Farm. Her owner Peter Brant bought her as a yearling for 475,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

"She ran the race of her life," Brown added. "I'm just so lucky to have so many great horses in this division. In Italian has been holding as high company in the mornings as she has been working with [multiple Grade 1 winner] Regal Glory.

"She's been the lead horse in the works for Regal Glory two or three weeks in a row at Belmont. I've been so impressed with her not letting Regal Glory by her, who I regard as the top mare in the division. She ran to her work today."

The Charlie Appleby-trained Creative Flair, who was last seen claiming Group honours in Meydan, finished last of six under Jamie Spencer.

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