Somali Lemonade squeezes out Diana victory

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Saratoga Springs, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Longshot Somali Lemonade rallied through the stretch to edge Stephanie's Kitten in winning Saturday's $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Luis Saez, Somali Lemonade went off at 11-1 in the 10-horse field of fillies and mares. The 5-year-old mare stalked the pace that was being set by Discreet Marq and 5-2 favorite Alterite over the firm grass course.

At the top of the stretch, Discreet Marq broke away from Alterite as Somali Lemonade and 5-1 co-second pick Stephanie's Kitten cut into the lead.

Both Somali Lemonade and Stephanie's Kitten caught Discreet Marq nearing the wire with Somali Lemonade getting a neck win over Stephanie's Kitten.

"She's won on the lead, she's won from behind. I think she's just a good filly. It was a pretty tough group that she ran against today," Matz noted.

Discreet Marq held on for third followed by Abaco, Solid Appeal, Strathnaver, Caroline Thomas, Alterite, Emollient and Tannery.

The time for the 1 1/8-miles was 1:48.51.

Owned by Caroline Forgason, Somali Lemonade recorded her third win of the year and second stakes in five starts. Winning the Diana was worth $300,000 and puts the mare's career bankroll at $948,421 with six wins in 22 starts.

The 5-year-old won the Gallorette Handicap at Pimlico on Preakness Stakes Day. She was coming off a disappointing third in Belmont Park's Just a Game Stakes after setting most of the pace.

Somali Lemonade returned $24.60, $11.00 and $7.40. Stephanie's Kitten paid $6.60 and $4.60, and Discreet Marq paid $6.50 to show.