Diana Handicap

Turf race infobox
class = Grade I
horse race = Diana Stakes


caption =
location = Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York flagicon|USA
inaugurated = 1939
race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing
website = [http://www.nyra.com Saratoga Race Course]
distance = 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs)
track = Grass, left-handed
qualification = Fillies & Mares 3-years-old & Up
weight = Handicap
purse = $500,000
bonuses = The Diana Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race. Named for the mythological goddess Diana, the race is run each year at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Inaugurated in 1939, it is open to fillies and mares age three and up willing to race the one and one-eighth miles on the turf. The race is a Grade I with a purse of $500,000.

Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the winner of the 2008 Diana Handicap automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. [http://www.breederscup.com/challenge.aspx]

From inception in 1939 to 1973, the race was run at a distance of a mile and a furlong on the Saratoga Race Course's main track prior. Because of large fields, it was split into two divisions in l973, l982, and l983. During World War II, from l943, through l945 the race was run at Belmont Park in l943, l944, and l945.

The Diana will be in its 70th running in 2008.

Records

Wins:
* 2 - Miss Grillo (1946, 1947), Searching (1956, 1958), Tempted (1959, 1960), Shuvee (1970, 1971), Hush Dear (1982, 1983), Glowing Honor (1988, 1989)

Speed: (at current 1⅛ miles)
* 1:45.93 - Heritage Of Gold (1999)

Most wins by an owner:
* 6 - Rokeby Stable (1967, 1968, 1976, 1984, 1988, 1989)

Most wins by a jockey:
* 4 - Conn McCreary (1946, 1947, 1954, 1956)
* 4 - Eddie Belmonte (1969, 1972, 1973, 1974)
* 4 -Jerry Bailey (1989, 1998, 2000, 2002)

Most wins by a trainer:
* 5 - J. Elliott Burch (1967, 1968, 1976, 1982, 1983)

Winners of the Diana Handicap

* 1968 - Gamely won the race but was disqualified.