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Euro Charline upsets elders in Beverly D.

Euro Charline made history as the first three-year-old filly to win the Arlington Million's sister race (Four Footed Fotos) Trainer Marco Botti made the bold call to send Team Valor International's Euro Charline to Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 Beverly D. at Arlington, and the English shipper repaid his faith to become the first sophomore filly ever to win the Arlington Million's sister race. Under an inspired ride by Ryan Moore, who had just guided Adelaide to victory in the Secretariat, the 10-1 shot produced a decisive late charge in her first try beyond a mile. Euro Charline outkicked such accomplished older distaffers as Stephanie's Kitten and Just the Judge, and thereby earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. "(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 three-year-olds normally don't do as well in this race." Should Euro Charline advance to the Breeders' Cup, she would do so in the care of Todd Pletcher. Irwin announced earlier Saturday that the daughter of Myboycharlie would remain stateside and transfer to Pletcher's barn.

In the early going, La Tia took up her customary front-running role and carved out splits of :24 2/5, :49 4/5 and 1:13 2/5. I'm Already Sexy, the other projected pace factor, was content to stalk in second. Just the Judge, the most accomplished of the European trio, was well placed in a ground-saving spot just behind the leader, with Somali Lemonade parked on her flank. Moore had Euro Charline drafting in Just the Judge's slipstream on the inside. In contrast, 5-2 favorite Stephanie's Kitten was anchored at the rear of the 11-horse field.

La Tia braced for the inevitable challenges turning into the stretch. Somali Lemonade and I'm Already Sexy loomed menacingly on her outside, but their bids were short-lived.

By that point, Moore had angled Euro Charline off the fence and steered her into clear sailing. Given the ideal opportunity by her British champion rider, Euro Charline found the best change of gear and surged to the fore. Stephanie's Kitten threaded her way among rivals to close strongly, and Just the Judge likewise finished with interest on the inside. But neither could overhaul the winner, who crossed the wire three-quarters of a length clear.

Euro Charline negotiated 1 3/16 miles on the firm turf in 1:55 2/5 and rewarded her backers with $23.60 to win.

"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 added.

Euro Charline will transfer to Todd Pletcher and point for the QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland (Four Footed Fotos) Stephanie's Kitten edged Just the Judge by a neck for runner-up honors. "It's frustrating," trainer Chad Brown said of Stephanie's Kitten's placing. "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." La Tia held on gamely for fourth, another half-length adrift. Next came Somali Lemonade, I'm Already Sexy, Street of Gold, French invader Sparkling Beam, Emollient, Tannery and 3-1 second choice Alterite. With this first top-level score to her credit, Euro Charline boasts a record of 7-4-1-1, $591,778. The bay initially raced in the colors of Scuderia Blueberry and opened her career with a pair of wins at Wolverhampton. Subsequently acquired by Team Valor, she was a close second in the April 16 Nell Gwyn at Newmarket in her debut for the connections.

Euro Charline was a creditable fifth in the May 4 One Thousand Guineas, beaten all of three lengths by Miss France. Despite a less than ideal trip in the June 20 Coronation at Royal Ascot, she checked in a fine third to Rizeena. Euro Charline dropped from Group 1s into listed company for the July 25 Valiant back at Ascot last out, and she notched her first stakes win.

Irwin indicated that Euro Charline would aim for the October 11 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.

Bred by Brian Liversage in Great Britain, Euro Charline fetched only $1,330 as a yearling at Tattersalls in February. At the same venue in October, she went for $22,008 to Scuderia Blueberry.

Her dam, the Common Grounds mare Eurolink Artemis, won six of 50 starts in England. She descends from the same female line as 1995 Irish Oaks heroine Pure Grain, multiple Group 1-winning millionaire Soviet Line and Japanese Grade 1 victor Fine Grain.

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