Who’ll Be ‘D’ One?

While the foreign challenge looks less than formidable in the day’s main event, at least four of the overseas raiders for Saturday’s GI Beverly D. S. appear classy enough to have a say in the outcome.

The ‘d’iscussion must begin with Team Valor International’s Euro Charline (GB) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), who made history last August when becoming the first 3-year-old to defeat her elders, accounting for favored Stephanie’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) by 3/4 of a length. The bay was to remain stateside thereafter, with an eye on the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup and the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly/Mare Turf, but was forced to miss those engagements and returned to Europe. Far from embarrassed when fourth to Solow (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 28, she was no better than 11-1 for the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 10, but stuck on gamely to finish just a length adrift of Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). The latter did her part to validate the form of that race with a defeat of G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and G1 Coronation S. winner Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville Aug. 2.

“They said we couldn’t do it last year because she was a 3-year-old and she did it and beat a good field,” trainer Marco Botti said. “This time they say we can’t do it because no one has won twice. I hope we prove them wrong again.”

The betting public, especially at Arlington, knows that Dermot Weld is always to be taken seriously when he ships in, and Moyglare Stud’s Carla Bianca (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) looks to give her sire a second win in the race in the last three years (Dank {GB}, 2013). Runner-up to Australia (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in her career debut two summers ago, the homebred defeated older fillies and mares in the G3 Dance Design S. last August, but was a disappointing fourth of five behind Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as the 4-5 chalk in the Listed Victor McCalmont Memorial S. at Gowran Park in late April. Second in the G3 Munster Oaks over 12 furlongs June 14, the gray bounced back for an all-the-way defeat of Million hopeful Elleval (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G3 Meld S. at Leopardstown July 16. She has a combination of speed and stamina that could stand her in good stead in this race.

Wedding Vow will try to follow Euro Charline as the second sophomore to take down the D. She has already acquitted herself well against olders, posting a 6-1 upset in the G3 Kilboy Estate S. at The Curragh July 19 ahead of a runner-up effort to Legatissimo in the G1 Nassau S. Aug. 1. This will be her third run in 27 days.

“I’m not at all worried about the two weeks break,” T.J. Comerford, assistant to trainer Aidan O’Brien, commented. “We brought Together (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) here and ran second in [the GI First Lady S.] then ran a week later in [the GI QE II Challenge Cup] and won the race. People practically ignored her because of it. They’re racehorses and that’s what they do. They run and ours seem to thrive on it.”

Stephanie’s Kitten was the recipient of a suspect ride from John Velazquez when fourth in the GI New York S. June 5, and had Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle for the first time when fifth as the favorite in Saratoga’s GI Diana S. June 5. But she sprinted home well and can figure with some racing luck. The Chad Brown stable is also represented by Watsdachances (Ire) (Diamond Green {Fr}).