Beauly finding success with Walsh

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Beauly sounds like “beauty,” according to those who know, and that’s entirely fitting. The British-bred filly ran a race to behold in winning her North American debut last month at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Brendan Walsh concedes that he isn’t quite sure how to pronounce the name, but one of his top employees, Bart Powell, and Churchill race-caller Travis Stone both say it’s like the surname of Ferris Bueller, with a slight twist.

In any case, Beauly could be tough to deny when the feature rolls around on a rare Wednesday twilight card that kicks off the final three-day stretch of Churchill’s 38-day spring meet. Off that fast-closing victory May 26, the chestnut 4-year-old named for a small Scottish town returns as one of the favorites in the seventh of eight races, a $57,500, second-level allowance scheduled for 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

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Julien Leparoux has a return call on Beauly, who will start from the outside post in a field of seven fillies and mares, assuming Taxable does not draw into the race as a main-track-only designee. Beauly’s victory capped a six-race win streak during a torrid May run for Walsh, whose hand has since cooled after exhausting so many conditions. From June 10 through Sunday, the stable had a remarkable nine seconds but no wins from 20 starters.

Besides Beauly, the other top contenders in the Wednesday feature are Flying Tipat (post 2, Robby Albarado), an earner of nearly $150,000 for owner and trainer Frank Jones Jr.; Wessex (post 3, Brian Hernandez Jr.), a sharp winner on the May 4 Thurby card for owner and breeder Juddmonte Farms; and Sister Blues (post 4, Shaun Bridgmohan), shortening up off a three-turn victory for the Lucky Seven Stable of the Mackin family.

First post Wednesday and Thursday is 5 p.m. Eastern. A Downs After Dark (6 p.m. post) closes the meet Friday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Beauly, by Sea The Stars
Beyer: 81

◗ After winning her career debut in February 2016 over Tapeta, she went winless in six turf starts at tougher British courses, then ran huge when getting Lasix for the first time upon being sent here to Walsh. She rallied from 10 lengths back to get up by a neck.

Flying Tipat, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 85-89-85

◗ Winless since April 2016, this hard-trying mare has faced some tough ones when trying to make it through this condition, including Cash Control, Kitten’s Roar, and Sassy Little Lila.

Wessex, by Unbridled’s Song
Last 3 Beyers: 82-76-80

◗ Bill Mott has brought this filly along judiciously with well-spaced races, all of them resulting in solid finishes; her Derby week triumph has been followed by five breezes overseen by local assistant Kenny McCarthy.

Sister Blues, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 83-77-77

◗ Consistent homebred has been in the money in 14 of 20 starts and now turns back after finally knocking out her first condition at 1 3/8 miles.