Mauralakana made a statement in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Park by defeating top rivals in the filly-mare turf division Dreaming of Anna and Precious Kitten. Precious Kitten entered the race ranked slightly higher than Mauralakana according to most experts and was sent off as the post time favorite.
Right out of the gate, Dreaming of Anna was able to get to the lead and set early fractions of 24.27 and 48.64. As expected, Precious Kitten was stalking just behind Dreaming of Anna in the early going, with Rosinka and Maurlakana close behind.
As the field turned for home jockey Kent Desormeaux had ensured Mauralakana received a perfect trip. When asked to take on her main challengers, she responded slowly at first but was able to open up a clear lead which she never relinquished, eventually prevailing by 1 1/4 lengths.
Precious Kitten and Dreaming of Anna actually started to run out of gas in the final jump or so. I had thought they were both locks to wind up in-the-money, but late closing longshots Communique and Torque de Queda had 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 distance of the Beverly D.
The victory was the 4th in Mauralakana’s last 5 outings, and puts her firmly atop the filly-mare turf division. Trainer Christopher Clement was on record as saying that Mauralakana would likely have been retired to begin a breeding career had she been defeated in the Beverly D. Instead she now has an automatic birth in the Breeder’s Cup FIlly and Mare Turf on October 24 at Santa Anita thanks to the “win and you’re in” Breeder’s Cup challenge.
Mauralakana returned $2.40 for the win as the second betting choice, finishing the Beverly D. in 1:55.18. Communique came flying late for place and wound up on the bottom of a very lucrative $65.40 exacta. The trifecta with Torque de Queda in show returned $1425.80. Hats off to those who nailed that one. I got the first place finisher right, but was totally burned by the bottom runners.
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