Breeders' Cup Big Bet Battle Royale - Beverly D. Selections

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The Editorial team at brisnet.com is getting involved in the fun, providing selections for the remaining contest races. Here are their thoughts on Saturday’s Beverly D.:

Jennifer Caldwell: How anyone can pick against Euro Charline in the Beverly D. (G1) is a mystery to me…but I’m feeling a bit mysterious and will try to do just that with WEDDING VOW (#9). Actually, the Aidan O’Brien pupil has a lot going for her. Wedding Vow captured a Group 2 contest at The Curragh two back and enters the Beverly D. off a nice second in the Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood. The bay sophomore only has to tote 117 pounds as compared to her main rival’s 123-pound impost, and will also be receiving first-time Lasix. Wedding Vow is no stranger to the 1 3/16-mile distance and brings jockey Colm O’Donoghue, aboard for the Nassau, along for the ride on Saturday.

Vance Hanson: EURO CHARLINE (#8) made history last year becoming the first three-year-old ever to win this race, and looks poised to enter the record book again as the Beverly D.’s first multiple winner. A commendable fourth in the Dubai Turf (G1) behind Solow, The Grey Gatsby, and Mshawish in her return from an injury-induced layoff in March, she was then left behind the stalls at Royal Ascot when misbehaving and not wanting to load prior to the Duke of Cambridge (G2). More settled for the Falmouth (G1) at Newmarket, she turned in a stellar try to be second to Amazing Maria, who prevailed in the two aforementioned races as well as the Prix Rothschild (G1) two weeks ago. Her price will be short, but her foes should find her hard to resist if her temperament is good.

Kellie Reilly: Maybe it’s my soft spot for Moyglare homebreds trained by Dermot Weld, but I have a sneaking suspicion that CARLA BIANCA (#6) is going to turn in a terrific performance. Admittedly, she’s got to lift her game to reach the high standard set by Euro Charline (who’s a worthy favorite in her title defense). Yet Carla Bianca just defeated males, including Arlington Million runner Elleval, last time out at Leopardstown, and this is her time of year. I’ve always had high hopes for her, and at 8-1, why not?

James Scully: A rapidly-improving 3yo filly with proven class, WEDDING VOW (#9) fits the same profile of the 2014 Beverly D. winner, Euro Charline. That rival is winless from only two starts since last year’s victory and looks potentially vulnerable stretching back out in ground at low odds Saturday, but fitness and distance are not a concern for Wedding Vow, who exits an excellent second behind top European filly Legatissimo in the 1 ¼-mile Nassau (G1) on August 1. The Galileo filly posted a sharp two-length tally in the Kilboy Estate (G2) two back at The Curragh, with trainer Aidan O’Brien removing blinkers that hindered the bay lass when unplaced in the Ribblesdale (G2) at Royal Ascot in her previous outing, and Wedding Vow gets in light Saturday under a 117-pound impost, receiving six pounds from all eight foes. O’Brien has excelled in the International Festival of Racing, winning the Secretariat four times and two editions of the Arlington Million (could’ve been three without the controversial disqualification of Powerscourt in 2004), but the highly-respected Irish conditioner is winless in the Beverly D. Wedding Vow will provide the hat trick.