Unbeaten Royal Charlotte in Test Stakes mix after Victory Ride win

Trainer Chad Brown, whose stable already included 3-year-old graded-stakes winning fillies Guarana and Dunbar Road, on Friday notched another notable win in that division with Royal Charlotte.

Royal Charlotte, a daughter of Cairo Prince, cruised by Cookie Dough in the stretch to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes over the main track at Belmont Park.

Javier Castellano piloted Royal Charlotte to a four-length victory that returned $5 to win. The filly covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.82.

Cookie Dough, who set fractions of 22.26 and 44.77 seconds, ran second in the five-horse field, followed by Peruvian Appeal.

Grade 2 winner Sue’s Fortune pulled up during the stretch run and was vanned off.

Royal Charlotte is now 4-for-4 in her racing career with each of those wins at a different track. She broke her maiden first out March 16 at Gulfstream Park, scored in allowance optional claiming company April 19 at Keeneland and then won the black-type Hystericalady Stakes on May 27 at Monmouth Park.

First Row Partners campaign Royal Charlotte, who Rhineshire Farm LLC bred in Kentucky.

"We've always thought she was a nice filly," Brown said. "She's always trained well, but she's been a bit of an overachiever. She always runs a little better than she trains, and for a horse like this to start off her career and keep getting better with every start and be so honest and consistent, I'm really lucky to have her.

"It was a tricky post and Javier showed why he's a Hall of Fame rider. He didn't panic and he just gave her a great trip and she really responded. I'm really proud of both of them."

Brown said Royal Charlotte "has earned" her chance to compete Aug. 3 in Saratoga's Test (G1), a 7-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies. That race could attract, among others, Bellafina, Break Even, Covfefe and Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress.

Royal Charlotte is the fifth 3-year-old filly to win a graded stakes under Brown’s care the last two months at Belmont Park.

On the turf, Seek and Destory started that hot streak May 18 by winning the Soaring Softly Stakes (G3). Cambier Parc gave Brown another turf score June 6 in the Wonder Again Stakes (G3). 

Then on the main track, Guarana followed June 8 with a record-setting romp in the Acorn (G1) before Dunbar Road's victory last Saturday in the Mother Goose (G2).