German-bred Dalika set the early pace then battled back gamely when runner-up Princess Grass got her head in front briefly in early stretch to win the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1) by a half-length Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The race was staged at the Louisville track for the first time amidst a special one-day stand-alone event. Previously, it was run at Churchill-owned Arlington Park near Chicago until that track was shuttered in 2021.
Tracked by Princess Grace for most of the trip, Dalika, under Brian Hernandez Jr., finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:45.31 on turf rated as good and earned her first win at the top level as well as an automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at Keeneland, to be run at 1 3/16 miles November 5.
Family Way was third in the field of five. Favorite Rougir was never a factor in an unplaced finish.
Trained by Al Stall Jr. for owner Bal Mar Equine, Dalika was Grade 3 winner prior to Saturday's race, she finished fifth in the Diana (G1) July 16 at Saratoga after posting a second in the Mint Julep (G3) at Churchill in early June in her only other starts this year.
A 6-year-old daughter of Pastorius out of the Hurricane Run mare Drawn to Run, Dalika has 8-7-0 record, including her victory in the 2021 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (G3) at Delaware Park, from 28 career starts. She was bred by Gestut Ammerland.
Dalika returned $17.02.
This story will be updated.
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