FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Zenner
(847) 385-7535
Cell (847) 371-1670
Fax: (847) 385-7251
BEVERLY D. WIN LAUNCHES EURO CHARLINE'S AMERICAN CAMPAIGN
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Aug. 16, 2014) – Team Valor International picked an ambitious spot for the North American debut of Euro Charline, shipping halfway across the globe to face six older Grade or Group I winners as part of a field of 11 distaffers in the Grade I $750,000 Beverly D. on Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse.
The 3-year-old Myboycharlie filly rewarded her trainer Marco Botti's confidence with a 3/4-length win over Grade I winner Stephanie's Kitten with English classic and Group I winner Just the Judge another neck back in third.
"[Botti] talked me into running here," Team Valor Principal Barry Irwin said. "He's been bugging me a month to run here and I finally gave in. He thought she'd get the [1 3/16-mile] trip, but I wasn't sure because 3-year-olds normally don't do as well in this race."
Indeed, Euro Charline became the first 3-year-old to win the Beverly D., which in the past three years has produced two Eclipse Award champion turf females. Irwin said Euro Charline would remain in North America with Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and point toward the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in October at Keeneland Race Course.
The win was a part of a big day for England-based Moore, who won the Secretariat Stakes on Adelaide a race before. The international leading rider won last year's Beverly D. with Dank.
Moore was mid-pack through the early stages of the race, as local favorite La Tia set a pace of :24.44, :49.90, and 1:13.56 with Just The Judge tracking on the rail. That foe under Jamie Spencer struck the front when a hole opened up turning for home, but Euro Charline had dead aim out in the middle of the track and collared that foe en route to victory with Stephanie's Kitten up from last to nab second from Just a Judge.
"She traveled real sweet and kicked on nicely like a good filly would," Moore said. "It's been a good day so far."
"Thank God [Moore] was available," Irwin said of the top-class jockey who rides light enough to handle the weight break given to 3-year-old fillies.
Euro Charline has now won half her six starts and has earned more than $600,000 lifetime.
The 2.9-to-1 favorite, Stephanie's Kitten, finished second for her second consecutive Grade I race. She was last early and charged down the stretch between horses to get second.
"It's frustrating," said Chad Brown, who trains Stephanie's Kitten for Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. "I think she was best again. It's two races in a row she's had unfortunate trips, but that's racing. We'll just keep going with her. I'm happy to see that she's back in top form, though."
Just A Judge held third, and jockey Jamie Spencer said she would benefit from a more European-style course with a longer homestretch.
Completing the order of finish was La Tia, Somali Lemonade, I'm Already Sexy, Street of Gold, Sparkling Beam, Emollient, Tannery, and Alterite.
Euro Charline paid $23.60, $10.60 and $6.20. Stephanie's Kitten returned $4.40 and $3.20. Just The Judge paid $5.80.
Arlington International Racecourse – the Chicago area's premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run an 89-day meet in 2014 from Friday, May 2 through Sunday, Sept. 28. Arlington International Racecourse, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 11 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities in Arlington Heights, Aurora, Chicago, East Moline, Waukegan, Villa Park, Rockford, South Elgin, Hodgkins, McHenry and Orland Hills. Arlington International Racecourse is a proud member of America's Best Racing. Information on Arlington International Racecourse and Trackside OTB can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/arlingtonpark and www.facebook.com/tracksideotb, and on Twitter at @Arlington_Park for the latest happenings, @arlingtonracing for the latest racing news and @tracksideotb for all things pertaining to off-track wagering.
-END-
David Zenner│Senior Manager of Communications
Arlington International Racecourse
2200 W. Euclid Ave. Arlington Heights IL 60006-0007
P 847.385.7535│C: 847.371.1670 | F: 847.870.6727│E: David.Zenner@arlingtonpark.com
Twitter: @dave_zenner, @arlingtonracing
________________________________
This Churchill Downs Incorporated communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication. Thank you for your cooperation.
