Hollywood Starlet (G1) winner DIPLOMAT LADY (Forestry) will face nine rivals
in Thursday’s $250,000 Beaumont S. (G2), which takes place over Keeneland’s
Beard Course at seven furlongs and 184 feet. The Christopher Paasch-trained
sophomore filly exits a fourth to Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Balance (Thunder
Gulch) in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and defeated that same rival when capturing
the 1 1/16-mile Hollywood Starlet in mid-December. Diplomat Lady will cut back
in distance Thursday and pick up a new rider in Cornelio Velasquez.
Forward Gal S. (G2) runner-up INDIA (Hennessy) is among the top challengers. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the chestnut lass opened her 2006 campaign with a sharp allowance
score at Gulfstream Park and looms as a dangerous three-year-old filly sprinter
this season. DANCE DAILY (Five Star Day) has also proven herself at shorter
distances, winning the seven-furlong Santa Ynez S. (G2) in her first start this
year, and the D. Wayne Lukas pupil is two for two at Keeneland.
Dale Romans will send out Sunshine Millions Oaks queen JOINT EFFORT (Runaway
Groom), and Oaklawn stakes winner WILDCAT BETTIE B (Meadowlake) has shipped in
for conditioner Larry Jones.
The complete field, in post position order with riders, is TERRI’S CHARMER (Silver
Charm), Shaun Bridgmohan; FAST DEAL (Grand Slam), Edgar Prado; Joint Effort,
Rene Douglas; Diplomat Lady; YACHATS (Forest Camp), Rafael Bejarano; LAKE ALICE
(Mt. Livermore), Kristi Chapman; Wildcat Bettie B, Terry Thompson; MOTION
(Albert the Great), Willie Martinez; Dance Daily, Robby Albarado; and India,
John Velazquez.
Diplomat Lady and Dance Daily will carry 123 and 121 pounds, respectively.
The rest tote 117.