The third time was the charm for Kathynmarissa (5m American Pharoah x La Dalila, by Milt’s Overture) on Saturday when the mare won the Gr.1 Diana S. after earning placings in her first two stakes appearances. Going off as the favorite in the 1 1/8 mile turf race, she was crowded early and dropped back to race third from last just a few lengths off the leader in the tight pack. The mare was patiently ridden by Jose Ortiz until they reached the far turn where he turned his mount loose. She was forced wide coming into the stretch, but that just made her more determined for her stretch run. It took nearly every stride to catch Segesta, but Kathynmarissa got up just in time to win by half a length over her stablemate. “When we hit the first turn, I noticed the pace backed up a lot,” said Ortiz. Five G wasn’t [near the pace], so I knew it was going to be a problem, but I was already committed to my position behind Manny [Franco, aboard No. 4, Portfolio Duration]. So, I stuck with it and just hoped for the best. She gave me a great turn-of-foot. Segesta got very good fractions early on and she was able to run on for second, but Kathynmarissa was very good today.” [embed]https://www.twitter.com/TheNYRA/status/2078568804674674829?s=20[/embed] Bred by Don Alberto, the mare owned by Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb now has two wins in three starts this year for trainer Chad Brown. In all, Kathynmarissa has won six of 14 starts with a victory in the Gr.3 Modesty two starts ago being her first graded stakes win. The 10th Grade 1 winner for American Pharoah, Kathynmarissa is the second Grade 1 winner of out Gr.1 Clasico Las Oaks winner La Dalila alongside Chileans champion La Poetisa. La Poetisa is also the dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Lorenzzo. Each of Kathynmarissa’s first three dams have produced stakes winners with her fourth breaking the tradition but winning one herself. La Dalila had an American Pharoah full brother to Kathynmarissa in February of this year. American Pharoah just wrapped up his first season at the Shizunai Stallion Station and will be standing at the farm for one more season before returning to Ashford.