Outsider of the party lifts the Beverly D as O'Brien's Lily Pond fails to shine

Aidan O'Brien was unable to claim back-to-back runnings of the Beverly D Stakes as Lily Pond could finish only fourth behind gutsy winner Dalika at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Albert Stall Jnr, the 15-2 chance was fired out of the gate by Brian Hernandez Jnr and, despite looking vulnerable to Princess Grace off the turn, the pair fought bravely in the final furlong to win by half a length.

It was an unlikely victory for the six-year-old mare, whose biggest success had been a Grade 3 at Delaware Park in July last year.

"We brought her back as a six-year-old this year to try to get her Grade 1-placed. We probably didn't dream we'd win a Grade 1," winning owner Paul Varga told Bloodhorse.

"Today kind of set up for her: a shorter field, the rail was out. She's a speedy horse and, as you can see, she fights. She came back and won that. It was really a crowning accomplishment in the career she's had."

Rougir, the 7-4 favourite previously trained by Cedric Rossi in France, raced keenly in the opening stages and had little to offer, while O'Brien's Lily Pond was slowly away and never looked comfortable under John Velazquez.

Lily Pond's connections won this race last year with the ill-fated Santa Barbara, but Lily Pond was unable to land a telling blow and was never better than third throughout.

Godolphin's million

Godolphin landed another huge international prize as Santin comfortably wore down Smooth Like Strait to win the Arlington Million.

After With The Moonlight and Nations Pride gave Godolphin and Charlie Appleby the Saratoga Oaks/Derby double last weekend, it was trainer Brendan Walsh who did the honours this time.

His four-year-old colt always travelled comfortably under Tyler Gaffalione and, after making their challenge on the turn, the pair shot clear in the straight to win comfortably by length and three-quarters.

It was a well-executed plan by Gaffalione, who told Bloodhorse: "Earlier, we rode in the Beverly D and it looked like speed was holding up pretty well on this course. With the scratch of the other speed, we didn't want to let Smooth Like Strait get away."

Set Piece, trained to Listed success by Hugo Palmer in Britain, was the 43-20 favourite but as a hold-up performer, he was a victim of the way the turf races were run on the day.

As with the Beverly D, the only other turf race on the card, the speed held up well and those held up off the pace in both races were ultimately never able to factor.

Read this next:

O'Brien expects '20 to 30 per cent improvement' as Luxembourg survives scare

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.