A field of nine distaffers has been entered in the $200,000 Chilukki S. (G2)
at Churchill Downs, one of a pair of mile graded tests taking place at the
Louisville, Kentucky, track on Saturday.
LADY BELSARA (Boundary) will be making her dirt debut in the Chilukki, having
competed her entire eight-race career on Polytrack at either Turfway,
Keeneland or Arlington Park. She captured the Chicago Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) at
Arlington in mid-June, then returned off a near four-month break to miss
by 3 1/2 lengths when fifth in the Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G3) at Keeneland. She’ll get a jockey switch to Kent Desormeaux for this one while
carrying 118 pounds.
ROLLING SEA (Sefapiano) is the actual top weight at 122 pounds, and is
seeking to rebound off a well-beaten seventh in the Spinster S. (G1) at
Keeneland. Prior to that one, she was a dominant 10 3/4-length
scorer in the Central Iowa S. and also captured the Allaire DuPont Breeders’ Cup
Distaff S. (G2) earlier in the year. The Steve Asmussen trainee has yet to place
off-the-board in five starts at a mile, with her most recent eight-furlong test
coming as a five-length win in the March 17 Fortin H. at Fair Grounds.
Robby Albarado retains the mount aboard Rolling Sea and will guide his filly
into the rail post. To their outside will be Lady Belsara; HIGH HEELS (E Dubai),
Joe Johnson, 120; CHANGE UP (Distorted Humor), Jesus Castanon, 116; MY CHICKADEE
(Pleasant Tap), Shaun Bridgmohan, 118; HUMOROUS GAL (Distorted Humor), Calvin
Borel, 118; WINDY (Wild Rush), Rafael Bejarano, 118; PLEASANT HILL (Pleasant
Tap), Julien Leparoux, 118; and TRENDY LADY (Unbridled’s Song), Rene Douglas,
118.
A total of eight runners will line up in the $200,000 Ack Ack H. (G3) one
race earlier on Saturday’s card. Multiple Grade 2 hero SUN KING (Charismatic)
has been going against some of the best in his division and will be taking a
step back against this group. The Nick Zito-trained five-year-old ran second in
the Woodward S. (G1) and fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in his last two
starts, and he’ll be getting blinkers added for this event. Leparoux has the
call aboard the 121-pound highweight.
THRONG (Silver Deputy) will lead the post parade while toting 115 pounds,
including Douglas. Next in line will be OFF DUTY (Yes It’s True), Larry
Melancon, 117; SIMON PURE (Silver Deputy), Bridgmohan, 114; CASINO EVIL (Salt
Lake), Borel, 116; ISTAN (Gone West), Desormeaux, 118; SPOTSGONE (Bright
Launch), Albarado, 117; RYAN’S FOR REAL (Sword Dance [Ire]), Bejarano, 115; and
Sun King.