Stacelita a decisive winner in Beverly D

Report: USA, Saturday

Arlington Park: Beverly D Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1½f, turf, 3yo+ f/m

EX-FRENCH Stacelita (Chad Brown/Ramon Dominguez) recorded a decisive victory to land her fifth top-level success in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington on Saturday.

Winner of the Prix de Diane in 2009 for former trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, the five-year-old daughter of Monsun scored by a length and a quarter over front-running Dubawi Heights, with River Jetez another head back for trainer Mike de Kock.

Gerard Butler's Pachattack never figured before finishing eighth of 11 in the $750,000 contest.

Sent off 9-5 favourite, Stacelita was making her debut for her new Stateside trainer Chad Brown, whorecently landed his first Grade 1 success with Zagora in the Diana Stakes at Saratoga.

Both fillies used to be trained in France before making the switch to the States for owner Martin Schwartz, who loves the Beverly D.

"This is my third winner," he said, accurately enough. "Gorella won in 2006 and Angara won in 2005.

"Stacelita and Chad Brown are both fantastic. She has been a magnificent animal since I first saw her and Chad has been a magnificent animal since I first saw him!"

While still representing Rouget, Stacelita had finished only third on her US debut when heavily fancied for the United Nations Stakes, a Grade 1 event in which she received amore than questionable ride.

Ramon Dominguez, the reigning US Eclipse Award champion, took over this time and made no mistake, tracking the pace before shooting up the rail in the stretch drive.

"I had an absolutely wonderful trip," he said. "I was able to sit right off the leader nice and relaxed - comfortable fractions.

"Turning for home, once I found a seam on the rail, I had to go for it and she reached for it great."

Stacelita earned an automatic spot in the Breeders' Cup with her victory as the Beverly D is part of the 'Win and You're In' Challenge.

River Jetez raced in mid-division and was never able to get anywhere near on terms with the winner, making up ground only once Stacelita had put the race to bed.

"I wish we'd had a better position but she ran well," said Christophe Soumillon. "I was very proud of her."

Pachattack was always towards the rear under Florent Geroux, who said: "She tried hard but it is very hard today to catch the speed. That was the key."