Horse Betting: Grade 1 Diana Odds on Saturday at Saratoga

Forever Together is the two-time defending champion in Diana odds and will be one of the horse betting favorites at online racebooks to win the event at Saratoga for the third time and turn the hat trick. Forever Together was the 2008 female turf champion bug has not won in her last 5 starts since the 2009 Diana. A total of 7 females are expected to run in this Grade 1 event that is one and one eight miles in length for 3 year old females and up. Forever Together opened at 2-1 as the favorite with Proviso a close 2nd choice at 5-2. Phola was next at 4-1 followed by Maram at 6-1. My Princess Jess opened at 8-1 with Dynaslew 15-1 as longshots.

Julien Leparoux, who was aboard Forever Together in her previous two horse betting wins in Diana odds will return to mount the filly yet again. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard said that Forever Together is as good as ever despite the recent slump. “Everyone is looking to say she’s not as good as she was but I think she’s still at the top of her game,” said Sheppard. Proviso beat out Phola in the June 5 Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont and has a win over males in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Handicap. She also had a win in the Spinster, another Grade 1 race, at Keeneland last autumn.

Proviso will be ridden by hall of fame jockey Mike Smith while Todd Pletcher, perhaps the top trainer in the sport, is training Phola, who was beat out by a mere half a length in the Just a Game by Proviso. “I thought she ran great last time,” said Pletcher. “She came from far back and was able to close ground off a slow pace but couldn’t quite get there. Perhaps things will be different with a little more honest pace and a little more distance.”