NEWS
International cast set for Beverly D.
Posted: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 7:10 PM
ECLAIR DE LUNE
FourFootedFotos.com
by Joe Nevills
A field of 11 fillies and mares with experience across the globe will vie for a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” slot in Saturday’s $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1) at Arlington Park.
The winner of the 1 3/16-mile turf race will secure a spot in the starting gate for the Emirates Airline Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs.
Dubawi Heights (GB) enters the Beverly D. on a four-race winning streak, including two straight graded scores. The four-year-old filly by Dubawi, who stands at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud in England and is the last surviving son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's prized champion Dubai Millennium, scored a narrow victory in the Gamely Stakes (G1) in her previous start on May 30 at Hollywood Park.
Saturday’s race will mark the first time Dubawi Heights will race outside of California since relocating from Great Britain prior to the 2010 season. Trainer Simon Callaghan will give rider Joel Rosario a leg up in the Beverly D. for owners Neville Callaghan, Clodagh McStay, Michael V. Magnier, and Annabel Wyatt.
Another entry with experience overseas is local prep winner Fantasia (GB). The five-year-old mare by Sadler’s Wells won the Modesty Handicap (G3) on July 9 at Arlington by a length, following a second-place finish in the Foxwoods Just a Game Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. Prior to her move to North America after a 2009 European campaign, Fantasia was a multiple Group 3 winner in England. Jonathan Sheppard trains Fantasia for owner Augustin Stable.
Eclair de Lune (GER) returns to Arlington for a bid for a repeat win in the Beverly D. Since her 2010 Beverly D. win, however, the five-year-old Marchand de Sable mare has not found the winner’s circle in five starts for owner Richard Duchossois and trainer Ron McAnally. She enters Saturday’s race off an unplaced finish against Dubawi Heights in the Gamely.
The Beverly D. also drew French classic winner Stacelita (Fr) and Group or Grade 1 winners River Jetez (SAf) and Check the Label.
Joe Nevills is a Thoroughbred times staff writer
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Handicapper, Inglewood, CA on August 12, 2011 at 08:07 PM
Stacelita will be super tuff to deny in this edition of the Beverly D, she is sitting on a win and is all class, she will be a complete stand out in this race. Go to the window with confidence and put your $$$$$$$ all to win.......... JMO <\_~
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