SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The connections of Moira certainly did not choose an easy spot to bring Canada’s Horse of the Year back from an eight-month layoff when they entered her in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga. “You’re not lying there,” trainer Kevin Attard said. “That’s what you expect when you run in Grade 1s. It’s a quality field, nothing to be surprised about I guess.” The Diana drew a field of 10, four of whom are Grade 1 winners. Moira has not run since finishing third behind Inspiral and Warm Heart in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. Warm Heart came back to win the Pegasus World Cup Turf before being retired. Didia, 10th in the Filly and Mare Turf, won the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf and last month’s Grade 1 New York and could go off favored in the Diana. :: Gain a competitive edge at Saratoga with DRF's premier handicapping data — purchase our meet packages today and bet with confidence. Moira did not sell at the Fasig-Tipton Night of Stars auction a few days after the Breeders’ Cup, and her owners elected to bring her back for another season. Attard said he would have liked to have run Moira before the Diana but ran out of time getting the mare prepared for last month’s New York. “We were a little further behind than we wanted to be, but she’s doing really good right now, happy with where she’s at,” Attard said. “This is a race we had in mind earlier and I think we’re ready for it.” Attard said he’s liked what he’s seen from Moira in her last few works. “She’s looking to do a little bit more than she has been. She’s put on some weight this year. I like the way she’s holding herself,” he said. “Obviously, other than the fact we’re coming off a eight-month layoff, I couldn’t ask for anything better.” Moira, a 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper, won the Queen’s Plate as a 3-year-old and the Grade 2 Canadian at 4. Tyler Gaffalione rides Moira from the rail in the Diana. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.