Twenty Carat Sparkles in Beaumont

LEXINGTON, KY – Three Chimneys Farm homebred Twenty Carat put forth a sparkling performance to win Friday’s $150,000 Beaumont Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (G3) at Keeneland.

Twenty Carat broke from the far outside post 7 under Luis Saez as the 7/2 third choice and settled into a forwardly-placed position stalking outside of Farsighted and the early leader My Girl Red, who posted pressured opening fractions of :22.18 and :44.79.

Ranging up to take the lead near the 5/16 pole, Twenty Carat drew off in the stretch to win the 7-furlong fast dirt sprint by 1 3/4 lengths. The Wesley Ward trainee stopped the clock in 1:26.04.

“(Her early position) was the spot we were looking for,” Saez said. “We have speed, but there was speed inside, too. We broke so good, we were right there. When we came to the 1/2-mile (pole), I knew I had a lot of horse for the battle.”

The even-money favorite Slumber Party made a late push in the stretch but was unable to reel in the winner, ultimately taking second by 2 lengths over Amalfi Princess.

Lady Traveler, Farsighted, Cilla, and an eased My Girl Red completed the order of finish in the race restricted to 3-year-old fillies.

The Beaumont is part of the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Oaks prep race season. Twenty Carats earned 10 points for the win, with Slumber Party receiving 4 for second, Amalfi Princess 2 for third, and Lady Traveler 1 for fourth.

Twenty Carats’ win came in her dirt debut following a pair of first-place finishes going 6 1/2 furlongs on Turfway Park’s synthetic course to start her career (though she was disqualified and placed second on debut). The Into Mischief filly’s earnings now stand at $175,600.

“She’s always been a lovely filly, done everything right,” Ward said. “Looks like she’s gonna go a little bit farther. … I think this filly has a big future and we’re looking forward to it.”

Twenty Carats returned $9 to win, $4 to place, and $3 to show. Slumber Party brought back $3 to place and $2.40 to show. Amalfi Princess paid to $3.60 show.