Gesture loses Beverly D appeal Secret Gesture officially remains third in the Beverly D Stakes after connections failed in their appeal to have the mare reinstated into first place. Ralph Beckett's five-year-old crossed the line at Arlington in top spot, but the local stewards felt Jamie Spencer and his partner had caused interference to Stephanie's Kitten, who had originally finished third. That horse was promoted into second spot, with initial runner-up Watsdachances named the winner. The Secret Gesture team contested the final outcome, but the appeal was thrown out. Peter Bradley, founder of Watsdachances' part-owners, tweeted: "The appeal in the G1 Beverly D was disallowed and the stewards ruling was upheld. Watsdachances is the G1 Beverly D winner." Stephanie's Kitten's jockey Irad Ortiz was accused of theatrical behaviour during the race, but his evidence was significant in the appeal process, according to Beckett. He said: "The only thing I would say is that the chief steward on the local panel, former jockey Eddie Arroyo, didn't want to disqualify but he was outvoted by two panel members. "The appeal panel of one (member) found Ortiz to be a credible witness, despite Eddie being of the opinion that he was grand-standing." Beckett and Secret Gesture's owners Qatar Racing were earlier in the week successful in their appeal to the British Horseracing Authority to reinstate Simple Verse as the winner of the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster. The three-year-old filly was first past the post on Town Moor, but she was initially disqualified and placed second behind Bondi Beach.
