Zito's In the Gold Sweeps Beaumont

Live Oak Plantation's In the Gold made a sweeping move on the far turn and held off a determined Aspen Tree in the stretch for a 1 1/2-length score in Thursday's Stonerside Beaumont Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland Race Course.

With jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard, In the Gold, trained by Nick Zito, broke slowly, but quickly made up ground down the back stretch after chasing early pacesetters Brooke's Halo and Punch Appeal, through fractions of :22.63 and :45.63. The 3-year-old daughter of Golden Missile covered the seven furlongs and 184 feet in 1:26.04.

Hot Storm finished third 11 lengths behind Aspen Tree. Punch Appeal and Brooke's Halo completed the field.

Bred by Whitewood Stable in Kentucky, In the Gold notched her first graded stakes victory in the $250,000 feature, her third win from eight starts.

"I knew there was a lot of speed in the race and Nick didn't want me to rush her," Bejarano said. "I just waited and she sure finished in the stretch. This is a nice filly. She has a great late kick. I would love to ride her in the Oaks."

In the Gold returned $5.80, $3, and $2.20. Aspen Tree paid $4.20 and $2.80, and Hot Storm, $2.40.

The exacta returned $20.20 and the trifecta paid $46.20.