Watsdachances placed first in wild Beverly D.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Watsdachances was declared the winner Saturday at Arlington Park in a highly eventful renewal of the $700,000 Beverly D. Stakes after Secret Gesture, first under the wire, was disqualified for a foul that occurred in the frantic final yards of the Grade 1 turf race.

Secret Gesture finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Watsdachances, who appeared destined to finish third under Joe Bravo but was up to be second only when Stephanie’s Kitten was checked sharply by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. The infraction occurred when Secret Gesture and jockey Jamie Spencer suddenly veered outward and into the path of a hard-charging Stephanie’s Kitten just a few yards before the wire.

Following an objection by Ortiz and a lengthy inquiry by the stewards, the original results were adjusted, giving trainer Chad Brown the top two in the official order. Secret Gesture, a 5-year-old mare based in England with trainer Ralph Beckett, was placed third.

“I’m sorry there had to be a loser in here, but I do think the stewards made the right call,” said Brown, on hand from Saratoga. “We were lucky both of our horses fired today.”

Watsdachances, a 5-year-old Irish-bred mare owned by the partnership of Bradley Thoroughbreds, Michael Kisber, and Nelson McMakin, returned $19.80 to win. The winning time for 1 3/16 miles run over a yielding course was 1:57.36.

The Beverly D., a Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, was held amid a steady rain that began about 40 minutes before and was heavy at times – although the skies were clear by the time the Arlington Million was run some 45 minutes later. Euro Charline, the defending champion and 5-2 favorite, was a surprise early leader, setting fractions of 47.67 seconds, 1:13.04, and 1:38.31 on an open lead, with Secret Gesture giving closest chase.

Down the stretch, as Euro Charline began to fade, Secret Gesture took command and appeared on her way to victory until the fateful incident occurred.

Watsdachances, a bay Irish-bred mare by Diamond Green, now has six wins from 18 lifetime starts. The winner’s share lifts her career bankroll to $1,146,294.

This was the second time Spencer has been disqualified from victory in a major race here as he was aboard Powerscourt in the 2004 Arlington Million when disqualified from first to fourth.

It also was the second disqualification of a first-place finisher in Beverly D. history, following that of Let’s Elope in the 1993 running.

Nine fillies and mares actually started in this 26th running of the Beverly D., but two were distanced, with Mango Diva barely getting out of a gallop after acting up badly in the starting gate and Maid On a Mission being eased in midstretch.

After the top three, the finishing order was Euro Charline, Wedding Vow, Carla Bianca, and Lacy.

The field was reduced from an original 10 when Lots o’ Lex was scratched in the paddock with the stewards granting trainer Gerry Aschinger permission to withdraw because of the wet ground. The filly was 40-1 when scratched.

The $2 exacta (2-3) paid $81.60, the $1 trifecta (2-3-10) returned $242.20, and the 10-cent superfecta (2-3-10-8) was worth $78.06.