RACE #9:
The 30th Running of the $600,000 Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes
(A Breeders’ Cup Win & You’re In Race)
1 3/16ths miles on the turf for fillies and mares, three years old and upward
Post Time: 5:53 PM EDT
A field of 8 fillies and mares is signed on to contest this race with defending champion, Sistercharlie, returning for trainer Chad Brown as she looks to become the first ever back to back let alone repeat winner of this race.
The filly Magic Wand, one of two entrants in this race for trainer Aidan O’Brien, is also cross-entered in Race 11, the Arlington Million, and based on recent information from DRF’s Marcus Hersh (when speaking to O’Brien) it seems likely that the powers that be in Ballydoyle would prefer their filly scratch out of this race to instead take on the boys in the Million. However, it appears a final decision regarding exactly which race Magic Wand will run in will not be made until Saturday morning. Thus selections for this race will be given in two parts: one contingent upon Magic Wand remaining within the field, whilst the other will take into account the scratch of the filly.
As for weather, it has been a long, hot dry summer in the Chicago-area and thus significant amounts of rainfall have been scarce in recent weeks. So while the Arlington International grounds crew has been doing a phenomenal job of keeping the turf course from drying out, it would be right to presume fast and firm conditions for all surfaces on Saturday morning. Additionally, the advanced weather forecast projects a nice sunny day for Saturday’s Festival of Racing with temperatures in the mid 80s, so it appears blistering conditions and high humidity will not be a factor for these races.
After all this, let’s move on to an overview on the contenders for this year’s running of the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes.
Selections: (With Magic Wand): 7-6-3, UNDERNEATH PLAY: 5
(Without Magic Wand): 7-3-1, UNDERNEATH PLAY: 5
1. Fleeting: (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore) 3yo filly by Zoffany, 5/2 ML
Last Time Out: 2nd on 7/20 by ½ a length in the Grp 1 Kerrygold Irish Oaks racing 12F over good rated going at the Curragh
Ran in mid-division (as opposed to at the rear of the field like in some of her previous efforts), began to make progress 2F out, ridden to chase leader within final furlong and was able to stay on to reduce deficit in final 100yds, held well to close. Overall placing throughout early stages of the race was not ideal and she was fortunate to finish the way she did
Earned a 109 TF speed rating for that effort, her career best (an improvement of 9 pts over the figure she earned in the Grp 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Ascot back on June 20th)
Fleeting is the youngest runner in this field at the age of 3 though she has been racing against Group 1 and 2 company over in Britain and Ireland this year which should make her at the very least competitive against this field
There are two concerns regarding this filly: first and foremost is her running style.
Throughout her career, she has primarily raced as a closer and while she does have a fairly powerful late kick, she does not usually employ it until the final furlong or so of each of her efforts
This is problematic considering that her last three efforts have been over 12F and now she cuts way back in distance to 9.5F, which actually may be a bit sharp for her (although she did win a Group 2 last September at Doncaster going a mile).
The pace for this race should be relatively modest (as the Chad Brown trainee Thais is expected to play the role of rabbit in this field for her stablemate Sistercharlie and even without the presence of Magic Wand, runners like Awesometank and Remember Daisy may be able to apply enough pressure to the pace-setter to ensure that honest fractions are set early on). Although it appears that Fleeting is not particularly comfortable with racing in mid-pack and would prefer to be at the rear of the field, it is likely that Moore will need to have his charge positioned a little closer to the pace on Saturday in order to have any chance at making a bid to upset Sistercharlie.
Ultimately, while Fleeting is coming into this race in good form, I believe that the cutback in distance coupled with her deep closer running style may be just too much to overcome for this filly to win this race and would recommend that she be used underneath only.
2. Awesometank (William Haggas, Florent Geroux) 4yo filly by Intense Focus, 8/1 ML
Last Time Out: Finished a well-beaten 7th when taking on the boys in the Group 2 Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot on 7/13 over a good rated turf course
Led the field until the final 2F and then weakened 1F out. Did not appear to be up to the task and may have been out of form in this effort.
Regressed and earned a 95 TF speed rating (off of her prior career best 107)
Prior to her most recent effort, had run 2nd in the 8.5F Group 2 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on 6/01 over good going
Saturday will mark the 1st time in her career that she has ever raced at 9.5F as she previously had raced at 9F twice to mixed results (she was a well-beaten 6th in the G3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket last Oct over good to firm going whilst back in Sept she was narrowly defeated by Sistercharlie’s half-sister, My Sister Nat, in the G3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon at Longchamp)
While her dam has already produced a winner at 9.5F, it is quite possible that this distance might be just a little too far for her as she might prefer racing right around 8F.
Awesometank’s running style is that of a pace-setter/pace-presser but she is not a need to lead type runner and actually possesses solid tactical speed which should work to her advantage on Sat
She now acquires the services of Florent Geroux (who is no stranger to the Arlington turf course and who rode quite well when he was here last month on Million Preview Day) and this should be of great benefit to her
Look for Geroux to have this filly forwardly positioned and pressing the initial fractions being set by Thais. Should Thais not fire though at the break or begin to tire early on, look for Awesometank to go straight to the lead and try and outlast her rivals on the front end.
Additionally, Awesometank will receive Lasix for the first time and that could help her wake up a bit
Ultimately, though I am not sure if Awesometank can get the distance on Saturday and given her habit of weakening late in mile races (against weaker company than what she will face in the Beverly D), I would not recommend using this filly anywhere in exotics except deep underneath (as she may just be able to hold on for a very minor share)
3. Competitionofideas (Chad Brown, Javier Castellano) 4yo filly by Speightstown, 6/1 ML
Last Time Out: Bested by a neck in a three horse edition of the 9F G3 Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth on 7/20
Earned a 124 TF speed fig
Prior to that she lost, also by a neck, to stablemate Homerique in the 10F G2 New York Stakes at Belmont Park on 6/07 (whilst earning a 123 TF speed fig)
This effort was actually more indicative of her true ability and running style
While Sat marks her first start at 9.5F, this filly has proven herself at going slightly longer and thus should have no issues handling the distance
However, given the fact that she has yet to win going 10F, she will need to improve in order to turn the tables on her stablemate in this race
Her running style is fairly versatile as she has run both as a closer and as a pace-presser/stalker in prior efforts and furthermore she does not appear to be particularly pace-dependent which bodes well for her chances in this race
While the TF PP suggests she will be towards the rear of the field early on, it would not be surprising to see Javy position her a little closer to mid-pack if the initial pace of the race is slower than he might prefer.
Also it should be noted that this filly possesses the best LP fig of the field with a 121 so she will be flying home late
Brown: Past 3 years, Shipping In: 28% win rate/61% ITM rate from 694 starts
Castellano: Riding for Brown Over the Past 60 Days: 24% win/71% ITM from 63 starts
If Magic Wand does indeed forgo this race for another crack at Bricks & Mortar in the Million, Competitionofideas rates as a win contender in this field (with a very slight chance of upsetting Sistercharlie should her stablemate not fire) and she will be my 2nd choice overall. If Magic Wand remains in this race, then this filly will be my 3rd choice for use underneath only.
4. Oh So Terrible: (Bradley Ross, Jose Valdivia Jr) 5yo mare by Cape Blanco, 30/1 ML
I’ll spare the words regarding this mare: she has no chance against this field whatsoever.
She has been competitive in exactly one of her last 10 starts and that came going a mile on the turf at AP against $50K OC
In her last 3 starts against G3 company at AP, she has been soundly beaten
She will likely be racing in mid-flight early on but it would be surprising to see her making any significant progress at the end of this race such that she has a shot at finishing in the money
TOSS
5. Remember Daisy (Gary Scherer, Mitchell Murrill) 4yo filly by Misremembered, 30/1 ML
Last Time Out: 4th in the 9.5F G3 Modesty Handicap over firm going at AP
Stumbled badly at the start and found herself in an unfamiliar position early on; Murrill did not panic and slowly but steadily began to move this filly up into contention through the backstretch and into the far turn; went 4w into the straight and although she unleashed an impressive late kick, it was not enough and she just missed getting 3rd
Earned a career best 115 TF speed fig
The field that she faced in her first try against graded stakes company on turf was not a particularly strong one and thus this filly would need to improve by leaps and bounds on Sat to merit any consideration whatsoever at finishing in the exacta
RD’s running style is primarily that of a mid-pack stalker with decent middle to late speed figures
Look for Arlington’s leading rider to position his charge in mid-pack early on (provided she breaks cleanly from the gates this time) and bide his time whilst chasing the fractions being set down by Thais and/or Awesometank
It’s doubtful that she will be able to get the jump on Sistercharlie (but might be able to beat Competitionofideas to the punch when winding up to go after the leaders); though if she can display that same powerful late kick she had last time out she merits a chance at securing a minor award in this race at a big price
Murrill: Incredibly hot over the last 7 days: 26-11-3-1 (4 wins on Thursday’s card as well)
Ultimatum: LIVE LONGSHOT FOR UNDERNEATH USE
6. Magic Wand: (Aidan O’Brien, Wayne Lordan) 4yo filly by Galileo, 3/1 ML
Last Time Out: Pretty much eased up when finishing 11th in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes at Ascot on 7/27 racing 12F over good to soft going
1st time cheek pieces, was clearly not up to the task and sealed her fate chasing the strong pace set by the leader; very poor overall effort
Prior to that had placed 2nd in back to back efforts (6/28: G1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh over good going at 10F and on 6/18 in the Wolferton Stakes when taking on the boys over a soft going racing at 10F at Ascot) Earned 112 & 111 TF speed figs for those efforts
She has raced in the US 3x in her career (3rd this year in the 11F G1 Man O’War Stakes on 5/11 at BP and then 2nd behind Bricks & Mortar in the PWC Turf Invitational at GP on 1/26 going 9.5F over a yielding turf course)
However, she has not won a race since last June when she bested Wild Illusion in the 12F G2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Ascot
Magic Wand might be at her best racing right around 10F and it appears she has no issues whatsoever with varying degrees of give to the ground
Magic Wand’s running style is incredibly unique. When one of her stablemates is present in a race to fulfill the role of pace-setter, this filly adopts a mid-pack to closing running style. However, in races where a “AOB rabbit” is not present, then Magic Wand prefers to be more forwardly positioned and her running style is more akin to that of a pace-presser/stalker
Should MW’s connections elect to keep her in this race, then it is likely that Lordan will keep his charge close up to the pace and remain within striking distance of the leaders at all times so as to be able to get the first jump on her rivals when making a bid for the lead
This tactic, combined with her fairly good late closing speed, could pay off in spades especially if Sistercharlie is not up to the task on Sat
All in all, draw a line through Magic Wand’s last performance (she was taking on Enable after all); the cutback in distance should help her today as should getting a bit of class relief when facing Sistercharlie on even terms (pound-wise). If MW stays in this race she will be my 2nd selection in this field with a minor chance of pulling off the upset.
7. Sistercharlie (Chad Brown, John Velazquez) 5yo mare by Myboycharlie, 8/5 ML
Last Time Out: Made 2019 debut after very long layoff (due to illness) in 9F G1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga on 7/13 over firm going
Had no issues whatsoever as she tracked the pace from 10 lengths off early on, was coaxed by Johnny V at the 3/8ths pole, angled 6w into the upper part of the stretch, drew up near the leaders in the final 16th and edged clear to win by nearly two lengths
While it was not the most visually impressive effort from this mare, it was to be expected as she may have had to work out some rust after a 252 day layoff
She actually tied her career best 126 TF speed rating with that effort
Sistercharlie comes into this race looking to pull off a feat that no other filly or mare has ever accomplished: win back to back (or even 2 editions) of the Beverly D; additionally, since coming over to the US, she has run in the exacta in all 7 of her starts and has only missed running in the top 2 once in 12 career starts
Her recent works suggest that she is ready to fire on Saturday and Thursday morning she exuded class and poise when galloping around the track and schooling in the paddock in the afternoon
Her running style is that of a closer with an excellent late kick (TF LP fig of 116) and provided her stablemate Thais does her job once again (she played the role of “rabbit”) in last year’s Beverly D as well, then Sistercharlie should have some honest fractions to close into when turning for home
Velazquez gets the call to ride once again (he’s the only rider this mare has ever known) and will likely have her positioned mid-pack in this race so as to get the best trip possible especially considering she’s not as deep of a closer as her stablemate Competitionofideas or rival Fleeting.
Johnny V will likely bide his time throughout the early stages of this race and once the field hits the far turn, he will slowly begin moving her up into contention before asking her to go once they hit the top of the stretch. If Sistercharlie is ready to fire once again, then watch her explode with that impressive late kick of hers and fly past her rivals to the wire
Brown: Past 3 Years, Winner Last Race: 28/63 from 676
If all systems are go for Sistercharlie on Saturday then she pretty much is a single in this race as she should best this field easily; though do not expect any sort of price whatsoever on her as her odds will likely plummet by post time
8. Thais: (Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr) 5yo mare by Rio De La Plata, 20/1 ML
Last Time Out: Finished a well-beaten 6th in the 9F G1 Diana at Saratoga last month
Played the role of pace-setter for her 3 stablemates in that effort. Hustled out of the gates, coaxed inside, spurted away from the rest of the field, but began to tire and weaken when she hit the top of the stretch. It should be noted that she set blistering early fractions in that race (TF has the entire race coded as red indicating an extremely fast pace throughout).
She ended up earning a 114 TF speed rating for that effort
Thais will once again be called upon to set the initial fractions in this race for her stablemates (though it is quite likely that Brown would prefer a pace somewhere between the dawdling fractions she set last year in this race and the scorching pace she set last time out).
While her primary running style is a bit of a hybrid pace-setter/presser, she boasts the fastest TF EP rating in the field of a 113 and thus it would be quite shocking to not see her on the lead after breaking from the gates
Unfortunately though she has developed a bad habit of fading late in her recent efforts and this could cost her a potential shot at finishing in the money like she did last year
Additionally, Irad gets the call to ride for the first time since Sept of 2017 so the familiarity between horse and rider just isn’t there
Brown: Past 3 Years, 2nd off the layoff: 24/62 from 367
I really don’t believe that Thais has much of a shot at all in this race and would expect her to begin to fade once again after hitting the top of the stretch (hopefully after fulfilling her pace-setting duties) and thus would not consider even playing her anywhere in exotics in this race.