Handicapper's Corner: Beverly D (G1)

Backwheel Daddys Lil Darling in Competitive Beverly D

By: Reinier Macatangay, Setting the Pace

Nine fillies will compete in the Grade 1, $600,000 Beverly D Stakes on Saturday at Arlington Park, and none of them truly stick out. Using TimeformUS, at least six of these runners are capable of posting a number in the low to mid-120s, one is a seemingly misplaced European invader, and the last two are overmatched.

 

Here is the field.

Daddys Lil Darling (8-1) – She is a remarkably consistent filly with seven on-the-board finishes in 10 turf attempts. In the three she missed, she only lost the race by about two lengths or less. While sometimes she gets overbet as a fan favorite, that should not be the case this time. Interesting backwheel candidate.

Nyaleti (15-1) – The lack of Lasix for this European invader is a disappointment. Furthermore, all 13 of her races came at one mile or less, and the Beverly D is run at 1 3/16 miles. She did compete against the talented Alpha Centauri in the Falmouth (G1), although she finished 12 lengths behind. Limit underneath, if it all.

 Sistercharlie (9/5) – Some bettors believe this filly is a single, but her form does not indicate an invincible favorite. In her last start in the Diana Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, she almost lost to the longshot Ultra Brat. Two starts ago, she lost to Fourstar Crook in the New York Stakes (G2). With that said, she must be used.

Dona Bruja (6-1) – This mare’s recent running tactics are a bit strange. She went to the front in both 2018 starts, and while it led to a win in the Endeavour Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay, it seemed to cost her a placing in the Jenny Wiley (G1). Will she revert back to the closing style that suited her last year? Contender.

Thais (30-1) – On paper, she is severely overmatched. But why would trainer Chad Brown allow her to run in this spot? For a sharp trainer, he is making an odd decision, unless the owners forced him to enter the race. Something to think about.

Oh So Terrible (50-1) – Another overmatched filly. Bradley Ross is an unknown trainer to the wider racing public. Prefer to pass.

Fourstar Crook (9/2) – Consistent seems like a good word to use for many of these fillies. This one sports a 17-11-3-1 record, and a 3-2-1-0 record in 2018. Her one loss came against Sistercharlie in the Jenny Wiley (G1), but she went on to defeat her in the New York Stakes (G2). Chad Brown teams up with Irad Ortiz Jr., and for many, that is a lethal combination. Obviously, she must be considered. 

Inflexibility (8-1) – Nice effort at Woodbine. She led the field through a fast pace, and just got a little tired late when losing to Santa Monica. The runner-up finish in the Beaugay Stakes (G3) after checking on the first turn looks good too. Brown teams up with Joel Rosario this time, and she must be considered.

Athena (3-1) – European invader comes back for more under Aidan O’Brien. She scored a nice win in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) by over two lengths, although the fast pace benefited her. A fast pace is unlikely in this race, but it might not matter. Two starts ago, she ran fourth against Urban Fox in the Pretty Polly (G1) overseas, and third to the impressive Magic Wand in the Ribblesdale (G2) at Royal Ascot. She must find the American competition relieving. Contender.

Conclusion
Unfortunately, the race is not clear. Daddys Lil Darling, Sistercharlie, Dona Bruja, Fourstar Crook, Inflexibility and Athena all have a chance to win.

Handigambling ($100)

There are a lot of contenders here, and no true standout. So, backwheel Daddys Lil Darling.

$4 Trifecta - $80 in all

3,4,7,8,9 / 3,4,7,8,9 / 1

$4 Exacta - $20 in all

3,4,7,8,9 / 1