Santa Barbara Bests Older Rivals in Beverly D.
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Photo: Coady Photography
Santa Barbara wins the Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington International Racecourse
Twice Santa Barbara has traveled to the United States from Ireland, and twice she has collected grade 1 victories to take home from a memorable trip.
Already a winner of the July 10 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park, the 3-year-old daughter of Camelot took on four older fillies and mares in the $392,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) Aug. 14 and came away with a three-length score.
Santa Barbara delivered trainer Aidan O'Brien his first Beverly D. win. It was the third win in the race for jockey Ryan Moore, who rode Dank and Euro Charline to victory in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
"This is a beautiful racetrack, a beautiful turf course," Moore said. "I feel very honored to have been allowed to come here."
Just prior to the start of the race when the field was loaded in the starting gate, Mean Mary broke through early before being reloaded. Under Luis Saez, the multiple grade 2 winner went straight to the front after breaking with the field and set fractions of :24.57, :49.34, 1:13.33, and 1:37.14 through a mile. Naval Laughter tracked in second while Moore settled Santa Barbara, the even-money favorite, in third. Lemista and Joy Epifora brought up the rear.
Moore positioned Santa Barbara two wide around the far turn and into the lane. The pair took over approaching the eighth pole and the bay filly kicked clear in a hand ride. The final time for 1 3/16 miles was 1:54.55 on a turf course rated good. Santa Barbara returned $4.00 for a $2 win bet.
"She was very straightforward. She's an improving 3-year-old," Moore said.
Mean Mary held on for second by a neck as Lemista rallied for third. Joy Epifora and Naval Laughter completed the order of finish.
"Luis Saez said she hit the gate and it took all the sting out of her," trainer Graham Motion said of Mean Mary.
Bramble Queen and Oh So Terrible were scratched. The former won the Mike Spellman Memorial Stakes earlier on the card.
Santa Barbara improved her record to 3-1-0 from six starts and increased her earnings to $731,612 for the Coolmore connections of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg.
She was bred in Ireland by Aidan and Anne Marie O'Brien's Whisperview Trading from the Danehill mare Senta's Dream, dam of two others to ship to America and earn grade 1 wins. Senta's Dream also produced Iridessa , the 2019 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) heroine, and Order of Australia , winner of the 2020 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T). Santa Barbara's second dam, Starine , is another Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf victress.
Moore could not be completely sure right away if Santa Barbara would make another return trip to the U.S., but the luck of her family in the World Championships might make the pattern worth chasing.
"I can't speak for the owners but I would assume she might be back. Perhaps for the Breeders' Cup," Moore said.