Proviso earns third straight Grade 1 win in Diana thriller

Posted: Saturday, July 31, 2010 5:27 PM

Proviso earns third straight Grade 1 win in Diana

PROVISO

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To view the Diana Handicap, click here.

Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Proviso (GB) solidified her credentials as one of the leaders in the U.S. turf female division with a hard-fought victory in the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

The five-year-old Dansili (GB) mare won her third consecutive Grade 1 race as she prevailed by a head over Shared Account and two-time Diana winner Forever Together in a blanket finish.

Proviso capped a banner day for Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte operation after his homebred Oasis Dream (GB) filly Midday (GB) scored a repeat victory in Goodwood’s centerpiece race for fillies and mares, the Blue Square Nassau Stakes (Eng-G1) earlier in the day.

Proviso and Grade 1 winner Tuscan Evening (Ire), an Oasis Dream mare who is undefeated in six starts this season, share leadership among female grass runners on this side of the Atlantic.

Proviso was keen out of the gate before settling to rate in third under Mike Smith, never more than two lengths behind Dynaslew, who set a slow pace while tracked by Maram. Smith asked Proviso to lengthened stride nearing the quarter pole, and the three rounded the turn as a team with Proviso on the outside.

Dynaslew yielded grudgingly to Proviso, who seized command in deep stretch. Shared Account and Forever Together charged strongly from off the pace to threaten near the finish line, but Proviso dug in for the narrow win as the 2.20-to-1 second wagering choice.

Forever Together, the 1.85-to-5 favorite, finished a nose behind runner-up Shared Account and a head in front of fourth-place finisher Dynaslew.

Proviso, who is out of the Woodman mare Binche, entered the Diana after taking the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (G1) against males on March 6 at Santa Anita Park and capturing the Just a Game Stakes (G1) on June 5 at Belmont Park, both at one mile. She covered the Diana’s 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.04 on firm turf.

“Whether we want to go beyond [1 1/8 miles], I don’t know,” trainer Bill Mott said. “She’s run at a mile and a quarter before and been effective, but we’ll have to sit down and decide whether we’ll want to take the next step. At this moment, I don’t think we have decided where we’ll go. We’ve won three Grade 1s this year, so I suppose the heat is off. Hopefully, the rest is just fun and gravy.”

Proviso, a half sister to 2010 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Eng-G1) winner Byword, began her career in France, winning two Group 3 races. She finished first in her North American debut in the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1) last fall at Keeneland Race Course but was disqualified and placed second for ducking out in the stretch and causing interference. With Saturday’s win, she has earned three wins in four starts this season and eight victories from 21 starts overall while amassing a career bankroll of $1,465,473.

Trainer Jonathan Sheppard said 2008 champion turf female Forever Together, who was looking for her first win since taking last year’s Diana by head, ran well after stumbling at the start.

“It was tough for a little while to get her in high gear, but she tried hard and finished strongly,” Sheppard said. “She won by a head last year. She lost by a neck this year. She’s still pretty darn good. I’m proud of her.”

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor

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Proviso earns third straight Grade 1 win in Diana

Reader Comments

The late great Bobby Frankle said that Proviso was his replacement for Ventura who was retiring. Proviso has done Bobby(Robert) proud and is not done yet, those that question if Proviso can get a 1 1/4 do-not know about horse racing and class when they see it, Proviso will get the 1 1/4 in the Breeders Cup Distaffer and will be voted the best FEMALE TURF HORSE IN 2010, no question, hands down she is the best female turf runner America has. Take a stand against Proviso and you will regret not beleiving in her abilities. GO PROVISO!!!!! I DO BELIEVE IN LAWNDALE.....

Leonard, Lawndale, CA
Posted: 8/9/2010 7:31:53 PM

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Proviso a fabulous race-mare. Top shelf across the board. She raced the best in Europe. The likes of Goldikova and Zarkava before ever coming to America. Proviso has only been in the U.S. less than a year. And has already reeled off 3 straight Grade 1 wins. One of them against older males in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. Where she defeated the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup winner, Awesome Gem. In the Diana Stakes at Saratoga. Proviso defeated the 2008 Breeders Cup F&M Turf winner, Forever Together. So she's faced some real comers in America, and overcome all of them. If not for being disqualified and placed 2nd in her first American start. The 2009 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keenland. Proviso would already have 4 Grade 1 victories in less than a year in America. That's quite impressive. I think it now time for Proviso and Tuscan Evening to square off against each other. The winner would certainly be considered the best turf mare in America. Tuscan Evening has won 6 straight races, and 7 of her last 8. Her only loss being to Ventura in November's Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park. But not all of Tuscan Evenings win's are Grade 1 wins. Some are Grade 2 and Grade 3. But nevertheless, she's quite an impressive mare on the turf as well.

Bob, Richmond, VA
Posted: 8/3/2010 8:38:15 PM

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Proviso has only been in America since October 2009. She's ran in five Grade 1 races. She's won her last three in a row. Finished 2nd to Gabby's Golden Gal in the Grade 1 Santa Monica and 4th in the 09'Breeders Cup Ladies Classic. Proviso actually won the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes at Keenland in her first American start in October 2009. But was D.Q.'d and moved to 2nd while Mushka was moved up to 1st in that race. If not for that disqualification at Keenland, we could be looking at a mare with four Grade 1 victories in less that a year. That's quite impressive. But then again, all of Prince Khalid Abdullah's horses that race for Juddmonte farms are very sound and talented horses. Any time you see the pink and green silks on a horse in a race. It's a Khalid Abdullah owned horse, and you know it has a very realistic shot at winning whatever race it's in. Proviso had raced well in Europe before coming to America. She had raced, and ran very well, against the likes of the great undefeated retired filly, Zarkava, and also the great Goldikova. Proviso may very well indeed be the best turf mare in America right now. IMO.

John, somerset, KY
Posted: 8/2/2010 5:27:46 PM

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When I saw this filly in the paddock, I was amazed at her regal looks and behavior as she looked around at her surroundings and competition. Mott and crew kept her happy by saddling her away from Tagg's horse and still in the shade.
Mike Smith fits her well, as he does with mares of this caliber. He gave her a perfect ride and even though it was quite the finish, this mare knew what she needed to do to win! I was blessed to have been there. Anxious to see where she goes next.

Anne, Queensbury, NY
Posted: 8/1/2010 9:41:12 AM

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Proviso raced well in Europe. But has really flourished since coming to America. She's definitely gotten better with age, too. With her ability to reel off Grade 1 victories against both colts and fillies, that will open up some doors, and give Prince Khalid Abdullah some potentially different options for the 2010 Breeders Cup. She raced in the 09' Ladies Classic and finished 4th. But Proviso's natural calling is turf. So I believe we're likely to see her in one of the turf events at this year's Breeders Cup races at Churchill Downs.

Frank, New Orleans, NC
Posted: 7/31/2010 11:38:12 PM

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