Mango Diva eyes Beverly D.

Connections of Walk Close, who won the Modesty Stakes by a half-length on Saturday, are weighing options for the improving 4-year-old filly. But Mango Diva, the runner-up in the Modesty, is a likely starter next month in the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes on the Arlington Million card.

Mango Diva lost by a half-length to Walk Close on Saturday, and the margin of defeat was produced before the furlong pole, when Walk Close attacked, got the jump on Mango Diva, and opened the lead she’d maintain to the finish. Mango Diva battled back gamely and ceded no ground from the stretch call to the finish, significant improvement upon a flat seventh-place finish May 16 in the Gallorette at Pimlico, her first start since being imported from England.

“She came out of the race real well, and I thought there was improvement,” trainer Michael Matz said. “Hopefully, we’ll plan to come back for the Beverly D. and just hope for a little firmer turf. I didn’t realize at first it was as soft as it was.”

Mango Diva was imported to the U.S. in part because she prefers firm going, Matz said he was told by former trainer Michael Stoute. At her best overseas, Mango Diva won the Group 2 Killboy Estate Stakes last year.