Whitebeam, Aspray May Give Brown Seventh Beaugay Win

It’s not quite the Chicago Bulls of the Michael Jordan era, but a look at the recent history of the $175,000 Beaugay Stakes (G3T) might give a similar impression.

Trainer Chad Brown won the 2018-20 editions of the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Then, after falling short in 2021 with second- and fourth-place runners, Brown has won the last two editions. This year’s top two betting choices, Whitebeam  and the Kentucky-bred Aspray , are Brown students. 

Brown is a six-time winner of the Beaugay, which this year takes place May 11 at the Belmont at the Big A meet.

Whitebeam is a Juddmonte homebred that has been in solid form since joining Brown last year. The 5-year-old mare made her North American debut in the Plenty of Grace Stakes losing by a neck to Evvie Jets . She followed up with a pair of graded scores—the Gallorette Stakes (G3T) and the Diana Stakes (G1T). She then posted back-to-back fourths in the First Lady Stakes (G1T) and the Matriarch Stakes (G1T) to cap 2023. 

Irad Ortiz Jr., who has won this race four times including three times on Brown trainees, will be in the irons. 

Aspray is a 4-year-old filly who is making her 2024 debut as well. She was last seen a two-length victress in the Aug. 19 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T). 

By one of North America’s top sires in Quality Road  , Aspray is a Ran Jan Racing homebred whose only trip of five that didn’t end in the winner’s circle was the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) where she was 2 1/2 lengths back in fourth.