Alterite (above winning the Garden City Stakes in September 2013) has a chance to regain her best form in the Beverly D. Stakes on Saturday at Arlington Park. (Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA)

The Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park annually attracts one of the finest groups of female turf stars for the entire racing season, and 2014 is no exception. 

Of the 11 entrants entered to compete in this year’s edition of the Beverly D., six are already Group or Grade 1 winners. This is a star-studded cast to say the least and one that has made the Beverly D. a very difficult and interesting race to handicap.  Below is a brief analysis of the horses I view as top contenders in the Beverly D., along with a couple of different ways of betting $20 on this race with a goal of making some money!

#5 Stephanie's Kitten: 

Stephanie’s Kitten is now in her fourth year of racing at the highest level, having captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf back in 2011. Earlier in 2014, one may have had a fair argument in saying that Stephanie’s Kitten’s best days were behind her. However, in her most recent start Stephanie’s Kitten exploded in the stretch in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga to finish only a neck behind Somali Lemonade, who also is entered in this race. I think her performance in the Diana may have signaled that Stephanie’s Kitten is indeed back in top form, and fan-favorite Frankie Dettori will ride her again on Saturday.

STEPHANIE'S KITTEN

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire

#9 Alterite:

Alterite began her career in France before being transferred to trainer Chad Brown’s care in New York, where Alterite is currently based. Alterite was fantastic last year when she shifted to the U.S., where she posted a win, one second and one third in her first three starts in this country, all versus top (Grade 1) competition. She was given time off and returned to the races in last month’s Diana Stakes at Saratoga, where she finished a disappointing 8^th as the favorite in that race. However, the Diana was Alterite’s first start in eight months, and with jockey Javier Castellano and trainer Brown on her side, I believe she is a strong candidate to rebound in the Beverly D. 

#10 Sparkling Beam:

The Beverly D. always seems to attract some international contenders, and I think it is wise to show some support at the windows for our foreign competitors here in Chicago. I give Sparkling Beam an outside chance in the Beverly D., as I think she may be one of the most effective runners in the race at the 1 3/16-mile distance. Though she has not faced the highest echelon of competition in France, she has won a Group 3 race before and has finished in first or second in 10 of her 15 career starts. It is encouraging that Sparkling Beam’s regular jockey, Thierry Jarnet, is flying in from France to ride this filly in the Beverly D., especially considering Jarnet has no other engagements on the Arlington Million card. 

Strategy One:

$2 exacta box:  Stephanie’s Kitten (#5), Alterite (#9), Sparkling Beam (#10) = $12

$8 to win on Alterite (#9) = $8 

Strategy Two: 

$20 to win on Alterite (#9) = $20

$750,000 Beverly D. Stakes
Saturday, Arlington International Racecourse, Race 9, 5:54 p.m. ET
1 3/16 miles, turf, fillies and mares 3 years old and older