Slumber Party Takes Big Step Up in Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select

Gary and Mary West’s homebred Slumber Party will attempt to go from debuting maiden winner to graded stakes winner Friday when she goes postward in the $150,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select for 3-year-old fillies running over the Beard Course of  7 furlongs, 184 feet.

“It is not a move I commonly make,” trainer Kelly Breen said Thursday morning. “She was very impressive in her debut (a 7 ½-length victory Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park) and her numbers indicated she could compete in stakes company.”

One of the fillies she defeated in the 7-furlong debut was Pass the Champagne, who will be running in the Central Bank Ashland (G1) on Saturday.

Would success Friday propel her to a start in the Eight Belles (G2) at Churchill Downs on April 30?

“Ask me that about 5:30 Friday afternoon,” Breen said with a laugh.