Beaugay winner Homerique gives Brandt, Brown another powerhouse filly

With Sistercharlie slow to return to the races this year, trainer Chad Brown and owner Peter Brandt unveiled yet another turf filly to reckon with in the division.

In her U.S. debut, Homerique, ran down stablemate Compeitionofideas to take Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Beaugay at Belmont Park.

The 4-year-old daughter of Exchange Rate topped a field of five rivals on firm turf, going as far as four-wide in the stretch before hitting the wire in 1:44.76 for the 1 1/16-mile race.

"She ran against the best in Europe," Brandt said. "Even when getting in trouble, she was always right there. She's a classy kind of filly that you want to see run."

Homerique, who last raced in December, added a second stakes win to her resume that also includes the Group 3 Prix de Psyche at Deauville.

"For the first time in the country, that was impressive," said jockey Irad Ortiz. "She's a nice filly. She did everything right. There wasn't too much speed or too much pace in the race, so I knew it probably wouldn't a problem with her because even if she doesn't break that good, she was going to be close to the pace because they'll go slow.

"She finishes [strong]. I think when she goes a little longer, she's going to be better."

Brandt said Homerique, a now winner of three races in seven career starts, would point next to the June 7 New York (G2), a 1 1/4-mile race on the eve of the Belmont Stakes.

"If she comes out of the race in good order and Chad keeps it in his plan," he said, "we'll be there."

Behind runner-up Competitionofideas, a Grade 1 winner making her 4-year-old debut, Chipolata and Andina Del Sur filled out the board in the Beaugay.