by Joe Nevills

Mauralakana (Fr) accelerated to the lead in the stretch and pulled away to her fourth straight victory with a 1 1/4-length score in the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Arlington Park.

With the win, Mauralakana secured a place in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at Santa Anita Park on October 24 via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series.

The five-year-old Muhtathir (GB) mare rated just off the pace in fourth as Dreaming of Anna opened a clear early lead through an opening half-mile in :48.64. Mauralakana moved three wide on the turn and responded eagerly in the stretch when roused, drifting out late while clear under jockey Kent Desormeaux.

"She stays in [the bit pretty good] and I was pretty confident in her turn of foot, so I wasn't worried about the ones in front of me," Desormeaux said. "I just didn't want anyone coming from behind to get me." 

Runner-up Communique closed from last to finish three-quarters of a length ahead of Toque de Queda (GB). Champion Dreaming of Anna faded to fourth and 1.90-to-1 favorite Precious Kitten flattened out and finished fifth after stalking the pace from second into the stretch.

Mauralakana won the 1 3/16-mile race in 1:55.18 on firm turf as the 2.40-to-1 second choice. Mauralakana improved to 11 wins in 26 starts and increased her career earnings to $1,449,512. 

Trainer Christophe Clement has saddled three winners of the Beverly D., having won last year with Royal Highness (GB) and in 2001 with England’s Legend (Fr).

Owned by Robert Scarbobough and bred by S.A.R.L Classic Breeding and Maurice Hassan, Mauralakana is out of winning Double Bed (Fr) mare Jimkana, a full sister to Group 1 winner Jim and Tonic (Fr).

Scarborough, who previously was considering retiring Mauralakana after the Beverly D. and sending her to Australia to be bred, said after the race she will be pointed to the Filly and Mare Turf.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Joe Nevills is a Thoroughbred Times editorial intern