River Jetez Heads Beverly D Hopefuls

Eleven fillies and mares, including one South African-based invader coming to America for the first time and another European trainee from last year who has become something of a hybrid this summer, have been pre-entered for the 22nd running of the Grade I Beverly D. Stakes as the Arlington Million’s sister race during the International Festival of Racing on Aug. 13.

The South African-bred is the 8-year-old mare River Jetez, owned by Barbara and Cedrick Amm and Marsh Shirtliff and conditioned by South African superstar trainer Michael de Kock.  River Jetez could inherit the Beverly D. favorite’s mantle at post time based on her form all over the globe since the beginning of the year.

Michael Deegan’s Pachattack, the European Beverly D. invader from 2010, is still conditioned by Irish-born British-based trainer Gerard Butler but has been based at Arlington this summer and captured the Grade III Arlington Matron over the Polytrack in her last start.

The North American-based Beverly D. group, once again in alphabetical order, includes Lael Stables’ Check the Label; Robert Scarborough’s British-bred Cheetah; Neville Callaghan, Clodagh McStay, Michael Magnier and Annabel Wyatt’s British-bred Dubawi Heights; Richard Duchossois’ German-bred defending Beverly D. champion Éclair de Lune; Augustin Stable’s British-bred Fantasia; Team Block’s Never Retreat; Butterfly Stable’s Romin Robin; Martin Schwartz’s French-bred Stacelita; and Stone Farm, John Adger, Oak Crest Farm and Mike Stidham’s Upperline.