In a heart-pounding stretch duel that lived up to the tradition of the historic race, Resolute Racing’s Excellent Truth emerged victorious over post-time favorite She Feels Pretty in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Dunkin’ Diana at Saratoga Race Course. The nine-furlong Mellon turf test for older fillies and mares was originally scheduled for the Spa’s inner turf but moved to the Mellon course after heavy morning rain.
The triumph marked an unprecedented 10th Diana win for five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown, adding Excellent Truth to a distinguished list of Brown-trained Diana heroines that includes Zagora (2011), Sistercharlie (2018-19), In Italian (2022), and Whitebeam (2023-24). Reflecting on the achievement, Brown credited the foundation of his career to his time working under the late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, saying he felt honored to return to the Diana winner’s circle yet again.
For Excellent Truth, a 5-year-old daughter of Cotai Glory, the win was especially sweet after three consecutive runner-up finishes in top-level company — including the Prix Rothschild (G1) last summer in France, the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland this spring, and the Just a Game (G1) at Belmont at the Big A last month, where she endured a wide trip.
Guided expertly by jockey Flavien Prat, who has ridden her in each start since her transfer to Brown’s barn, Excellent Truth broke from post 4 and tracked early leader Choisya, while She Feels Pretty, under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, settled along the inside in third. Choisya carved out honest fractions of 23.78 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.52 for the half-mile over the yielding turf.
As the field approached the far turn, Prat launched Excellent Truth into contention, while She Feels Pretty was tipped three-wide by Velazquez, making her move around the top pair. After six furlongs in 1:12.61, Choisya clung desperately to her lead as She Feels Pretty and Excellent Truth drew alongside. The favorite drifted slightly inward in the lane, tightening things up, but Prat never flinched.
In the final sixteenth, She Feels Pretty briefly poked her head in front, but Excellent Truth dug deep, showing grit and determination to reclaim the advantage in the shadow of the wire, winning by a head in a final time of 1:47.37.
“She tried really hard today,” Prat said. “When the other filly got in front, she really wanted it and came back.”
Velazquez acknowledged She Feels Pretty was “simply second best” on the day, as her four-race graded win streak came to an end. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back to Brown’s other runner, Dynamic Pricing, who narrowly held third over the game pacesetter Choisya, with Lady Claypoole rounding out the field. Be Your Best was scratched.
John Stewart, owner of Resolute Racing, praised his mare’s courage and tenacity against a compact but high-quality field, calling it a “tremendously proud moment.” Brown noted the victory was especially rewarding after two frustrating near-misses earlier this year.
Bred in Ireland by Sandra Russell, Excellent Truth was a Group 3 winner in France in 2023 before selling for over $1.6 million at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. Saturday’s win added $275,000 to her bankroll, and she returned $8 on a $2 win wager.
With her first Grade 1 now secured, Excellent Truth has proven she is no longer a bridesmaid — and with Chad Brown at the helm, the summer could still hold even more glory at the Spa.
