Beverly D. Stakes Tips & Betting Preview

Race Preview – 10.21pm Arlington

IN SUMMARY: If ratings are anything to go by, this race should be a match between Ballydoyle and Sea Calisi. The 130 rated Aidan O’Brien trained BALLYDOYLE (5/2) is our selection and could not have run any worse when last of thirteen in the Belmont Oaks but that was nowhere near a true reflection of the horses’ ability.

This is a slightly easier assignment for the three year old filly bred by the mighty Galileo. If she shows up in the same form as her Group 1 victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp last October, she will take the world of beating in the hands of Seamie Heffernan. There is no doubt that Sea Calisi is a huge threat! Rated just one pound inferior, the Chad Brown filly by Youmzain won the Grade 2 Sheephead Bay Stakes very easily at Belmont in May. She was turned over by Dacita in the New York Stakes last time out but will put it up to Ballydoyle here.

1 Ballydoyle (5/2) – Inconsistent performer but would make short work of this field if at her best. Top rated horse in the field for the powerful Coolmore team. Proven Group 1 winner on turf and if she can put the disappointment of the Belmont Oaks behind her, she is the deserved favourite.

2 Al’s Gal (25/1) – Five year old mare trained by Michael Maker. Only found the Chad Brown trained Olorda too good in the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland in April before finding Faufiler too good in the Modesty Handicap (Grade 3) at this track last time out. Would be a shock winner here.

3 Marypop (33/1) – Good second in Listed company at Longchamp last September before running a creditable 4th to Candarliya at the same track in a Group 2 in October. Went on to win a Listed race at Saint-Cloud comprehensively and followed that up with a Group 3 success at Chantilly. Needed the run when 5th at Arlington on debut for her American trainer and is a lively outsider here!

4 No Fault Of Mine (40/1) – Chris Block trained four year old filly that caught the eye when 2nd in the Arlington Matron Stakes (Grade 3) here in May. She has to improve a lot on her 4th to Faufiler last time out to get involved here.She has had her training problems and would not be on our shortlist.

5 Tuttipaesi (20/1) – William Mott trained six year old mare that is pretty exposed at this stage. Victorious in the Grade 2 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita in March and was a creditable in Grade 3 company at Parx last time out but this is much more demanding.

6 Coolmore (7/1) – Miles clear of Ballydoyle when 3rd in the Belmont Oaks last month so merits plenty of respect even if Ballydoyle is the stable’s first string. Colm O’Donoghue takes the ride and looks sure to be in the first three with a repeat run under favourable conditions.

7 Lots O’ Lex (50/1) – Well beat in the Grade 3 Modesty Handicap last month and is easily passed over.

8 Personal Diary (50/1) – Failed to reach the first three home on her last nine starts. Hard to fancy.

9 Zipessa (20/1) – Improved on Churchill Downs Grade 3 third in June to land a Grade 3 at Parx last month. The Michael Stidham trained filly has to improve but she does look progressive and a bold showing is not out of the equation. The step up in trip should be in her favour.

10 Secret Someone (50/1) – Third to Faufiler in the Modesty Handicap when last seen and needs to improve a lot to get involved in the finish here.

11 Elusive Million (33/1) – First run for Chad Brown after finishing tailed off in Listed company for former French trainer in France! Best watched.

12 Faufiler (7/1) – Five year old Galileo mare that comes here with every chance after an easy success in the Grade 3 Modesty Handicap. Creditable 5th in the Grade 1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park in June, doing her best work late on over a mile. Needs the extra distance which she has here and she could be the fly in the ointment!

13 Sea Calisi (5/2) – Trains with the undefeated Breeders’ Cup winner Lady Eli at home and Chad Brown’s runner is the main threat to our selection. She was a classy filly in her native France, winning the Group 2 Prix de Malleret on her fourth start. Beat half a length by Pleascach in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks and was also 3rd to two time Arc de Triomphe winner Treve in a Group 1 at Longchamp. If form is anything to go by, she sets a pretty high standard so Ballydoyle will have to be at her very best.

14 Pretty Girl (16/1) – French raider who comes here off the back of a Listed win at Vichy at the end of July. This is a tougher assignment but she is on an upward curve so she is not ruled out.