Euro Charline makes history in the Beverly D.
They knew she had the form, they thought she had the class, it was just a matter if Euro Charline could stay the full 1 3/16 miles of the Grade 1 Beverly D. Sure enough, the only three-year-old in a full field of tough older females finished the $750,000 race full of run to earn the victory by ¾ of a length over race favorite Stephanie’s Kitten.
Hugging the rail, and content to sit mid-pack for most of the way over the firm Arlington International turf course, Euro Charline and rider Ryan Moore watched as the local star La Tia set all the early fractions. Looking like she might be shut off from clear sailing after early fractions of :24.44, :49.90, and 1:13.56, Moore quickly swung the bay filly several paths out for the turn for home when given the chance. From there, Euro Charline turned on the afterburners and set sail after the stubborn early leader.
With clear running on the outside, Euro Charline doggedly collared and went by La Tia, before holding off a furious late charge by Stephanie’s Kitten. The ultimate result was never in doubt, though, as Euro Charline had plenty left to keep the favorite’s late advances at bay, and become the first three-year-old filly in history to score in one of America’s most prestigious turf races for the fairer set.
Not surprisingly, the winning rider jumped off his mount with good things to say about the brand new Grade 1 winner. "She traveled real sweet and kicked on nicely like a good filly would," said Moore, who also scored a Grade 1 victory the race before aboard Adelaide in the Secretariat.
Owned by the Team Valor partnership, Euro Charline won for the 4th time in only seven career starts. Before today, the bargain priced filly, once purchased for 800 pounds, had never run farther than a mile, but was coming off a pair of strong performances at Ascot. Two starts back the English-bred daughter of Myboycharlie came just ¾ of a length short in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, before coming back to Ascot to win a listed stakes stylishly in her latest.
The chief of Team Valor, Barry Irwin, gave all credit to the trainer, Marco Botti. “I thought he was crazy for doing it,” said Irwin in regards to Botti’s decision to bring his inexperienced filly to Arlington.
As the sixth choice in the field of eleven, Euro Charline returned $23.60, $10.60, and $6.20 across the board. The final time for the 9 ½ furlongs was 1:55.52.
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland will be next on the dance card for Euro Charline, as she will look for back-to-back Grade 1 scores in the States. That will come for a new trainer, though, as Euro Charline will stay in America, and join the Todd Pletcher barn.