Alterite is Latest Beverly D Runner for Schwartz

Owner Martin Schwartz has done something no other owner has done, and that is prove victorious in three editions of the Grade I Beverly D. at Arlington international Racecourse.  Not only has he won three of the last nine with only four starters his fourth starter finished - you guessed it - on the board (third).

“I love the race!  It’s my favorite, other than the Breeders’ Cup, and I try to have a horse for it whenever I can,” Schwartz said.   “Though I do not personally know Mr. Duchossois, I respect him a lot.  He is an extraordinary host and love coming to Arlington.”

A Wall Street trader who has spent nearly four decades building his wealth on the stock market, Schwartz has not done too terribly with his equine investments, either.  In addition to his triad of Beverly D. wins (Gorella, Angara and Stacelita), he has won two French classics, one Irish classic and a Breeders’ Cup.  He will try to keep his name associated with such success when he sends out the Chad Brown-trained Alterite next Saturday.

A talented French-bred filly who, like all three of her victorious predecessors, started her career in France, Alterite was classic-placed in her home country before coming to the United States and winning the Grade I Garden City at Belmont Park in her first start for Brown.  Since then, she has competed in three other American Grade I races, including the Diana Stakes at Saratoga on July 19 - her first outing since finishing an excellent third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

“I feel very good with her and am hoping to win.  She was coming off the layoff last out and was competing in her eighth consecutive Grade I,” Schwartz explained.  “She’s a terrific horse.  She should have won the (Group I) Saint-Alary last year and lost to Treve in the (Group I) Prix de Diane before that filly went on to win the Arc.  She should have won the (Group I) ‘QE-II’, as well, in her second start here - and then we ran her in the Breeders’ Cup on three weeks’ (rest) and paid a little price,” he continued.  “We were pressing the envelope and she had to have a chip removed.  But, most of the great races are in the second half of the year, so we weren’t too worried.

“Chad would have preferred a prep before Diana, but she had seven breezes going in and was fit.  She was very fresh, throwing her head about and had a hard time trying to settle down.  Sometimes if you haven’t run a while, you run a little faster than you would prefer - but the race should help her a lot.  As a trainer once told me - one race is worth four breezes.”

When it comes to comparing his star fillies of the past with that of his present, Schwartz is quick to illustrate.  “Stacelita was one of a kind and the best horse I’ll ever own,” he said.  “Gorella was pretty special and so was Angara, but it remains to be seen with Alterite.  Hopefully she’ll have a big race next Saturday and we’ll be able to speak about her in those terms.  We’ll take her to the (Grade I) Flower Bowl (Invitational) and the Breeders’ Cup if she acquits herself well.”

Whatever minimal uncertainty Schwartz may possibly have about his chances for a fourth Beverly D., such is thwarted by his confidence in the experience he expects to once again receive upon arrival. “The race is a wonderful and the hospitality is the absolute best - and I’ll be bringing about 12 to 14 people and hopefully will be able to rival Ramsey’s crew,” he heartily laughed in conclusion.

CHAD BROWN TRIO WORK TOWARD FESTIVAL

Trainer Chad Brown holds an enviably hot hand in the Grade I $750,000 Beverly D. with the likes of Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Stephanie’s Kitten and Martin Schwartz’s Alterite.  Both fillies worked Saturday morning at Saratoga on the Oklahoma training track’s turf course - each managing five furlongs in 1:01.44.  

Also working the same course and distance for the conditioner was Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s defending Arlington Million champion Real Solution.  The son of Kitten’s Joy negotiated his final serious work before returning to Arlington in 1:01.47.  Javier Castellano is going to ride Real Solution and Alterite, while Stephanie’s Kitten gets the return services of Frankie Dettori.