Just the Judge in good shape heading into Beverly D.

In 11 starts over three seasons, classic-winning four-year-old filly Just the

Judge has proven her class against some of the best Europe has to offer,

including a sharp victory in the 2013 Irish One Thousand Guineas and a runner-up

performance in that race's English counterpart. The daughter of French Derby

winner Lawman enters Saturday's $750,000 Beverly D. at

Arlington after a

useful third in the Pretty Polly at The Curragh behind highly regarded Thistle

Bird -- a performance that hinted she may be slowly coming back to the excellent

form she showed in her sophomore season.

"She's good and looks really well after the trip over," Geoff Snook,

traveling head lad for trainer Charlie Hills, confidently expressed. "She was

really ready to come out and do something this morning. She just stretched her

legs and had a look. She can be a bit spritely when she's in a new space on her

own, so we had the pony go with her."

Owned by Qatar Racing and the Sangster Family, the earner of $556,286 will

once again have the riding services of Jamie Spencer, who has ridden the charge

in her last eight races and is the retained rider of the Qatar Racing. The

Beverly D. looks to be one of the saltiest renewals in its 25 years, with six

Grade or Group 1 winners. Still, Snook was no less satisfied with what he saw on

the Arlington turf Tuesday morning.

"She looked great this morning. It's the best she's moved," he continued.

"She's possibly better than before the Pretty Polly."

Though the bay filly won her banner race at a mile, her connections look

forward to the longer 1 3/16 miles of Saturday's marquee filly and mare turf

event.

"I think she wants a mile and a quarter, now, as opposed to when she won over

a mile in the Guineas last year," Snook said. "I think she wants that little bit

extra as she's gotten older."

This year's edition of the Beverly D. also looks to have a variety of running

styles throughout, including what could be a strong pace. A mid-pack runner,

Just the Judge may benefit from such.

"I think she needs a decent early gallop," Snook said. "I also think she

needs more juice in the ground. Her two-year-old form was more on softer ground.

I think the it allows her to let down (her stride) easier, plus it probably

takes some of the finishing speed off the faster-finishing horses, as well. If

it's 'proper good' ground, it'll be ideal."

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