Four Graces to stay sprinting after track-record Beaumont score

Jul 10, 2020 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Four Graces set a new stakes and track record while dominating the $100,000 Beaumont Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Friday, but trainer Ian Wilkes reiterated after the race that the daughter of Majesticperfection would stick to sprinting and not pursue the Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

'We'll point for the Test (G1),' said Wilkes, referring to the 7-furlong fixture for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga on Aug. 8.

Breaking on top in the Beaumont under Julien Leparoux, Four Graces received steady pressure from Grade 1 winner Wicked Whisper until the quarter pole when she shook off that rival and drew off to a 4 3/4-length victory for owner-breeder Janis Whitham. The 3-5 favorite, Four Graces paid $3.40 and completed the Beard Course (7 furlongs and 184 feet) in 1:24.90, the fastest race ever at the distance in the long history of Keeneland.

Sconsin rallied for second, 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Turtle Trax. Wicked Whisper weakened to fourth while Slam Dunk completed the order of finish. Speech was scratched in favor of Saturday's Ashland (G1) at 1 1/16 miles.

Despite not having any Oaks aspirations, Four Graces earned an additional 20 Oaks qualifying points on top of the 20 she earned winning the June 6 Dogwood (G3) at Churchill Downs in her stakes debut. Sconsin earned eight points, Turtle Trax four points, and Wicked Whisper two points.

A winner of in four of five starts, Four Graces was bred in Kentucky and is out of the Grade 3-placed Ivory Empress, by Seeking the Gold. Four Graces is a half-sister to Grade 2 scorer McCraken.