Beauty Parlor gives Clement record seventh Orchid win

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – If it were up to trainer Christophe Clement, they’d run the Grade 3 Orchid once a month at Gulfstream Park, not just once a year.

On Saturday, Clement won the race for a record seventh time when Beauty Parlor made her U.S. debut a winning one, outlasting her uncoupled stablemate, Tabreed, to register a half-length triumph in the 1 1/2-mile turf fixture for older fillies and mares.

Beauty Parlor is a homebred daughter of Elusive Quality out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Moon Queen. She was sent to the U.S. to join Clement’s barn by her owner, Joseph Allen, following the completion of a 3-year-old campaign during which she won two of six starts in France.

Beauty Parlor rated well, placed just off surprising pacesetter Photo Call until the field entered the stretch for the final time, quickly overtook the tiring leader near the furlong marker, surged clear, then held safe Tabreed. The latter raced near the rear of the field for more than a mile, advanced steadily on the final turn, split rivals to continue her bid near midstretch, and was gaining gradually on the winner at the end.

Kitten’s Point moved to closer contention in early stretch but could not sustain the bid, finishing third, another three parts of a length behind Tabreed. Riposte, the 8-5 favorite, broke through the gate prior to the start, was taken back off the early leaders by jockey Javier Castellano, raced in some tight quarters between horses, and gave way through the stretch.

Beauty Parlor completed the distance over a firm course in 2:26.89 and returned $14.60.

“I’m delighted she won for her owner-breeder, Mr. Joe Allen, a great man, a very successful owner-breeder,” said Clement. “He brought the filly back from France. She’s trained well. I had a small question mark about the distance. I like this race. I’m already starting to think about it for next year. Life is good.”

Clement said Tabreed, who was graded stakes-placed for the fourth time, will be retired to WinStar Farm, where she’ll be bred to More Than Ready.

The Sheepshead Bay at Belmont likely will be next for Beauty Parlor, with the Bewitch at Keeneland the other option, according to Clement.