Be Your Best the Pick in Upcoming Beverly D. Stakes
Arlington International Racecourse may be gone, but memories of the Illinois track will come to the fore Aug. 9 when the Arlington Million (G1T) and Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) are contested at Colonial Downs.
1. Chick’s Shadow (15-1): Was second in an allowance-optional claiming race and eighth in a stakes before that. Seems overmatched.
JOCKEY: Jose Lopez; TRAINER: Angel Rodriguez
2. Be Your Best (9-5): Was freshened after a front-running win in the grade 1 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita Park. She has won four of her past five starts and should be tough to catch from an inside post position. She also is entered in Friday’s Ballston Spa Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course but will run here as long as the weather conditions are fine.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.
3. Beach Bomb (4-1): Was a game second in the grade 1 New York Stakes. Should be part of the early pace scenario and those fractions could decide the outcome.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Graham Motion
4. Charlene’s Dream (7-2): Will also be part of what should be a contested pace. Tired and finished fifth in an overnight Churchill Downs stakes last time out. Was second in the grade 3 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes and won the grade 3 Gallorette Stakes before that. Seems capable of hanging around until the end.
JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Ed Moger Jr.
5. Spanish Eyes (9-2): Will be making her third U.S. start since shipping here from Germany. Closed from fifth to second in a grade 3 stakes at Delaware Park last time and could work out a nice trip here.
JOCKEY: Ben Curtis; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
6. Duvet Day (3-1): A deep closer, she will need the help of a quick pace. Is winless in two 2025 starts but did rally from sixth to finish second in the Anchorage Overnight Stakes at Churchill in her most recent try. Has only won four of 26 career starts.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy
THE PICK: Be Your Best
LONGSHOT: Spanish Eyes
SUPERFECTA: 2-3-5-4
