Finley’sluckycharm got back to her winning ways on Saturday at Keeneland with a 1 3/4-length victory in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
The six-furlong TCA is a “Win & You’re In” Challenge race and awarded Finley’sluckycharm an all-fees paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) on November 4 at Del Mar.
However, before she could gain that coveted spot, Finley’sluckycharm had to live up to her 4-5 favoritism in the TCA. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was aboard the Twirling Candy filly and settled her behind the leaders in midpack about three wide between rivals. Up front, Chalon and True Romance duked it out through fractions of :23.05 and :46.03.
Nearing the turn, Finley’sluckycharm found herself stuck behind Chalon, True Romance and Grace’s Treasure, but Hernandez didn’t panic. Patiently waiting until room opened up upon hitting the lane, the reinsman angled Finley’sluckycharm out into clear sailing. The dark bay lass ran down True Romance and easily held off Chalon on the rail to score in a final time of 1:10.01.
Finley’sluckycharm paid $3.60 for the win. Chalon lost the war but won the battle over True Romance by three parts of a length on the wire. Bendable followed another two lengths behind in fourth, while I’m a Looker, Grace’s Treasure and Vertical Oak compleed the order of finish.
Campaigned by Carl R. Moore Management LLC, Finley’sluckycharm entered the TCA off a neck second in the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga on July 26. The Bret Calhoun-trained four-year-old saw a three-race win streak snapped that day, as she previously captured the Roxelana Stakes, Winning Colors Stakes (G3) and Chicago Handicap (G3), all at Churchill Downs.
Finley’sluckycharm is actually unbeaten at Churchill, having also romped in an allowance, allowance/optional claimer and the Dream Supreme Stakes last season. Sandwiched between that three-win race streak and her one this year was a half-length second in the La Brea Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park to close out the filly’s sophomore campaign on December 26.
With the Thoroughbred Club of America now added to her resume, Finley’sluckycharm boasts a 9-2-0 mark from 12 career starts and has banked $593,368 in lifetime earnings.
Bred in Kentucky by Lakland Farm, Finley’sluckycharm is out of the multiple stakes-placed Victory Gallop mare Day of Victory. Her third dam is Grade 3 heroine Gather the Clan, who produced multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Pure Clan and dual Grade 2 victor Greater Good. Gather the Clan is herself a daughter of champion sprinter What a Summer.
THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA QUOTES
Brian Hernandez Jr., jockey Finley’sluckycharm, winner
“She changed our game plan on us today. She’s a good filly and I guess you can do that with these good fillies. I was really proud of her that last eighth of a mile, how fast she came home. Today, she just didn’t break as sharp as she normally does, but with her works lately, she’s been turning off and running home pretty good. So I never really panicked. I just trusted in her and she got us there.”
Bret Calhoun, trainer Finley’sluckycharm, winner
On whether the plan was for the filly to race from off the pace
“It wasn’t planned. Obviously, I left it in Brian’s hands. She’s been a very consistent filly. In the mornings, she’s gotten where she turns off a little bit more as she’s gotten older. Brian said she just didn’t get away good today. Those horses got in front of her quick, and he just decided to try something different.”
Paco Lopez, jockey Chalon, second
“My filly ran very good. Nobody made the lead so I took my filly to the lead. Going :23 (:23.05 for the first quarter of a mile) is very easy for my filly. I knew others would be coming late – there are nice fillies in this race.”
Joe Bravo, jockey True Romance, third
“My filly is a really honest filly. She always lays it on the line for you, all the time. Turning for home, it looked like she was going to get there. Even though she didn’t, I’m proud of her. She’s a hard-knocking filly who’s always going to be there for you.”
Javier Castellano, jockey Bendable, fourth
“We had a good trip. I was saving ground the first part of the race. I came running late. I expected more speed in the race. Unfortunately, they went pretty slow fractions.”
