Brown Looks to Have Another Sharp Shipper in Beaugay

Last May, trainer Chad Brown brought in a good-looking gray European import off of a Group 1 placing to make her North American debut in the GIII Beaugay S. at Belmont. A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) won impressively before going on to pick up two Grade I victories. It wouldn't be a big surprise if the same scenario gets underway once more in Saturday's Beaugay renewal, as Brown starts the promising Homerique (Exchange Rate) as part of an imposing pair of challengers in the 1 1/16-mile turf test.

Homerique has shown tantalizing ability from the jump, annexing her debut by eight easy lengths going a mile and a quarter over soft ground at Chantily. She quickly stepped into group company, and was a half-length second in the G3 Prix Penelope before running third by a neck in the G1 Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks). A bit overmatched when seventh against males in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Sept. 9, she closed her sophomore campaign with a strong third in the G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines, earning a career-high 115 Timeform Rating. The Peter Brant colorbearer has drilled sharply for this invasion, most notably going a half-mile over the Palm Meadows turf in :47 2/5 (1/17) Apr. 13.

Brown also sends out Grade I winner Competitionofideas (Speightstown), who makes her 4-year-old debut as well for Klaravich Stables. Thrice beaten as the favorite to start her career, the $325,000 Keeneland September buy added blinkers Sept. 7 at Belmont and turned the corner with an 8 1/2-length graduation. She repeated in an allowance there Oct. 21 and, after a third in the off-the-turf Winter Memories S. unleashed a powerful late burst to capture the GI American Oaks Dec. 29 at Santa Anita.

Chipolata (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) may be ready for a peak effort for trainer Christophe Clement. Debuting in America with a good third at 36-1 in the GI Belmont Oaks here last summer, she was fifth in the soft-turf Zagora S. Oct. 28, but picked up a smart allowance score in her seasonal debut Apr. 11 at Aqueduct. The chestnut draws an advantageous rail spot in a race that will start on the clubhouse turn.

Binti Al Nar (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) warrants a look in her Stateside bow. Knocking on the door at the stakes level in Germany and Italy, the Peter Schiergen trainee broke through with a score in the G3 Premio Elena E Sergio Cumani Sept. 23 at San Siro. She was last seen running seventh against the boys in the G2 Premio Vittorio di Capua there Oct. 21.