Discreet Marq Training Well for Beaugay

Set to make her 2015 debut, 5-year-old Discreet Marq will look to add another graded stakes win to her resume facing six others in the Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Purchased for $2.4 million last November in the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sales by Moyglare Stud Farm, the gray mare trained by trainer Christophe Clement has amassed more than $1 million in career earnings. Bought with the intent to stay in training by her new owners, Discreet Marq finished 2014 with a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Matriach at Del Mar.

"Discreet Marq is training very well," said Christophe Loreil, assistant to Clement.  "Obviously it's her first time back this year and it looks to be a good spot. She's coming in fresh, well, and sound with no problem. I think it's a good race back [for her]."

The 2-1 morning-line favorite, Discreet Marq will leave from post 7 with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard.

Headlining the cast of challengers is J Wonder for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and owner Andrew Rosen. A 4-year-old filly who began her career in Europe,  J Wonder has already picked up Group 3 victories as a 3-year-old at Newbury and Goodwood before reaching the McGaughey barn.

Making her first start in North America in an allowance race at Keeneland on April 9, she stalked most of the way, breaking from the outermost post 7 to finish third.

"We think she's a really nice filly," said McGaughey. "She had good European form, her race at Keeneland was a good race coming off that long of a layoff and I think we learned a little something about her that day. I think she's been training very well since then and we got a good strong race into her. I'm looking forward to Saturday."

The morning-line second choice at 4-1, J Wonder will break from the rail with Javier Castellano aboard.

Another European invader looking to earn her first graded stakes win is Juddmonte Farms' Radiator, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott. Victorious in her first start in North America on April 8 at Keeneland in an allowance race, Radiator will look to extend her win streak with jockey Joel Rosario aboard from post 2.

Cutting back in distance is Photo Call for trainer Graham Motion. In her two previous starts, the 4-year-old by Galileo raced at 1-1/2 miles in the Grade 3 Orchid at Gulfstream Park on March 28 giving way late to finish sixth, and previously was a third in the Grade 3 La Prevoyante Handicap last December.

Rounding out the field is Testa Rossi for Chad Brown, last out fourth in the Grade 2 Santa Ana at Santa Anita Park; Recepta, who last out won a 1 1/16-miles allowance race at Keeneland on April 12  for Phillips Racing Partnership and Pam Gartin; and Caroline Thomas for Barclay Tagg and owner Joyce B. Young.

Source: NYRA Communications