Beverly D scouting report: Ballydoyle

Ballydoyle is already well known to American fans, but unfortunately her introduction was a resounding thud as the 2-1 favorite in the July 9 Belmont Oaks (G1). The Beverly D. (G1) looms as a crossroads in her career: will this end up being a last chance saloon, or will the Aidan O’Brien filly engineer a turnaround?

As noted in the Belmont Oaks backgrounder, Ballydoyle was a work in progress early on as a juvenile. The full sister to Irish classic winner and four-time Group 1 star Misty for Me was a green fourth on debut at the Curragh. Advancing straight to the Chesham versus the boys at Royal Ascot, Ballydoyle was again learning on the job. She hit top gear a fraction too late and just failed to Suits You in a photo. (Suits You was then snapped up by Hong Kong interests, who renamed him Sunny Way. He’s yet to race in Hong Kong for trainer John Moore.) A more street-wise Ballydoyle hacked up in a Newmarket maiden, beating eventual multiple Grade/Group 1-placed Nemoralia.

Controlling the pace next time in the Debutante (G2) back at the Curragh, Ballydoyle stretched clear and confirmed herself a top-caliber two-year-old. At the time, few would have paid much attention to the fact that her 8-1 stablemate Minding scrambled up to take second.

 

Ballydoyle was again heavily favored over Minding in the Moyglare Stud (G1), contested over the same course and seven-furlong distance as the Debutante. But the ground came up yielding for the rematch, and that gave the edge to Minding. Or at least that was the prevailing interpretation post-race. Minding has been on a tear ever since, so in hindsight, it wasn’t just the ground…