This year’s running of the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Park has turned up especially tough with a field of 9 horses going 1 3/16 miles over the turf course. A purse of $750,000 is on the line, and some big name competitors such as Dreaming of Anna, Rosinka, Precious Kitten, and Mauralakana are set to do battle in what should be a very exciting race, not to mention a good betting opportunity.
The field with jockeys and odds is as follows:
- Dreaming of Anna - G. Gomez (7/2)
- Rosinka - C. Velasquez (8/1)
- Precious Kitten - R. Bejarano (9/5*)
- Mauralakana - K. Desormeaux (3/1)
- Ciao - J. Velazquez (30/1)
- Meribel - R. Albarado (20/1)
- Toque de Queda - J.Murtagh (30/1)
- Communique - R. Douglas (12/1)
- Cicerole - I. Mendizabal (6/1)
The pace scenario looks pretty simple for this race, but the finish order may be deceivingly hard to predict. Dreaming of Anna (#1 - 7/2) looks to be the logical horse on the lead firing out of the inside post position. The 4-year-old daughter of Rahy can be a force when allowed a comfortable lead, but she hasn’t beaten this level of competition since winning the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies back in November of 2006. Still, the others will have to come get her on the lead.
Rosinka (#2 - 8/1) could be putting pressure on Dreaming of Anna, but my gut tells me she’ll concede the lead and stalk just behind her. She doesn’t need the lead to win at this level the way Dreaming of Anna would appear to. Precious Kitten (#3 - 9/5*) should be right there stalking with her. Precious Kitten will likely be the post time favorite, but I’m not going to swallow chalk on this one as I’m a tad worried that the distance of the Beverly D may be a shade longer than she prefers. Don’t get me wrong - she should be covered in the pick 3, but I’ll play against her in the trifecta.
Mauralakana (#4 - 3/1) will be my top selection. The 5-year-old Christopher Clement trainee has won 4 of her last 5 races, and I’m just a bit more comfortable that she’ll prefer the distance of the Beverly D. Of the horses sporting wins at the 1 3/16 mile distance, she’s clearly the best of the bunch on paper. This group would include longshots Toque de Queda (#7 - 30/1) and Communique (#8 - 12/1). Note that as of right now Precious Kitten and Mauralakana are 1,2 in the DRF’s Watchmaker Watch List for turf females.
Dreaming of Anna has a tendency to hang around even in defeat, so I think you’ve got to include her underneath in the exactas and trifectas, especially since she’s likely to be alone on the lead. I really think this race comes down to the inside 4 runners, with Rosinka also looking like she’ll get a great trip.
It’ll likely take a 100+ Beyer figure to win the Beverly D this year, and of the remaining field really only Communique (#8 - 12/1) and Cicerole (#9 - 6/1) look to be threats to finish in the money.
To build the trifecta for the Beverly D, I’ll use my top choice Mauralakana on top, who I think we can get at a decent price on thanks to the depth of the field. Precious Kitten and Dreaming of Anna will be the two I toss in for place honors. I’ll add Rosinka and the late closing Communique in for show.
Be sure to give a good look at the French invader, Cicerole. Note that she’s almost never out of the Exacta. You’ve got to like that form. The question will be how well she’s shipped? Hopefully she gives us a good indication in the post parade so that tickets can be adjusted if she looks good. Or you could just cover her as well if you don’t mind digging a bit deeper. I just try to keep the “official selections” here on the cheap side so that casual fans and newcomers can play along without feeling like they have to break the bank to get in on the action.
Selections: 4/1,3/1,2,3,8 ($6)
Oh yes, being a handicapper, a breed that is prone to superstition, I should point out that lately whenever I’ve played against Rafael Bejarano (who happens to be on the favored Precious Kitten that I’m trying to beat with Mauralakana) he makes me pay. I just have to put that out there in the interests of full disclosure, so again make sure you cover that one on your Pick 3 wagers.
[...] other ideas as they blew past their higher profile rivals finishing 2nd and 3rd, respectively. In the morning’s handicapping prior to the race, I had mentioned that I was worried Precious Kitten may not enjoy the 1 1/16 mile [...]