Duntle disappoints as Dank wins Beverly D Sir Michael Stoute's Dank routed her rivals in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington in a time just outside the course record. The four year old filly has improved in leaps and bounds this season and gained a first top level success at the first attempt to follow in the steps of I'm A Dreamer who lifted this prize for David Simcock last year. La Tia adopted her customary position at the head of affairs with Solid Appeal and favourite Marketing Mix in close attendance with David Wachman's Duntle and Dank not far behind. Gifted Girl was towards the rear and started to make her move with three furlongs to run while Ryan Moore switched Dank on the turn for home. La Tia and Silent Appeal were still contesting the lead at the furlong pole but Dank, racing on Lasix for the first time, flew past them inside the distance to score by around five lengths. Paul Cole's Gifted Girl (who also raced on Lasix) chased her home with Ausus edging Marketing Mix out of third. Winning owner James Wigan was on hand to enjoy Dank's dominance, said: "She has such a great turn of foot. Obviously she has improved over the last year." "When she ran at The Curragh last time, she really impressed me," added Moore. "I had every confidence in her today. I thought she was coming into this in unbelievable shape." Tom Queally said of the runner-up: "She ran well, but obviously she wasn't going to beat the winner." Dank receives automatic qualification for the Breeders' Cup as a result of her success. Duntle, who beat Dank at Royal Ascot, faded in the straight under Wayne Lordan, finishing seventh.
