Chilukki

A full field of 12 has been entered to go a mile on Churchill Downs’ dirt
in the Chilukki S. (G2) on Friday, and we think PROSPECTIVE SAINT (Saint Ballado) is going too good of late
to pick against. The Marty Wolfson-trained five-year-old tried Turfway Park’s
Polytrack last out, turning in a subpar sixth in the Turfway Breeders’ Cup S.
(G3). Prior to that, however, the dark bay mare was seen taking the Gardenia H.
(G3) at Ellis Park, and ran second in this event last year after battling for
the lead. Her numbers are on par with others in here, and Prospective Saint could
finally earn a win in this event with Eddie Castro aboard.

SANGRITA (Mr. Greeley) is a lightly raced sophomore, having made only four
lifetime starts. Two of those were wins, with the most recent coming off a
seven-month break by 3 3/4 lengths. She earned a 102 BRIS Speed rating for that
score, as well as 99 BRIS E2 and Late Pace figures. The Michael Matz-conditioned
Sangrita may not have as much experience as her rivals in here, but the bay lass
could certainly challenge for it all based on talent alone. Edgar Prado has the
call.

JOINT EFFORT (Runaway Groom) scored in the Sunshine Million Oaks in her first
race of the year, and added victories in the La Troienne S. (G3) and Dogwood
Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) as well. She didn’t do so well in her last two races while
taking on the best of her division, but could easily show improvement in this
spot. The chestnut miss loves the Churchill dirt (7-4-3-0) as well as the mile
distance (3-2-0-1), and could get back to the winner’s circle under Mark Guidry.

VAGUE (Elusive Quality), winner of the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas earlier
this year, made her U.S. debut in July, running off-the-board in the Coaching
Club American Oaks (G1). She was off for three months before returning for a
much-improved effort in the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S.
(G1), leading into the stretch before tiring a bit late. The cutback in distance
here could be what the bay lass needs to breakthrough with her first U.S.
victory. Garrett Gomez will be holding the reins.

TRIPPI STREET (Trippi) is another lightly raced runner with only four starts
to her career, but will be tough in the top three of two nice efforts against
stakes company. The Wayne Catalano trainee broke her maiden by nine lengths
before finishing second in the Pocahontas S. (G3) last November. She was off for
nine months, returning two back to take an allowance at Arlington Park, before
another runner-up finish, this time in the Safely Kept S. The chestnut filly
owns the number to challenge and has been working well in advance of this one.
Robby Albarado is set to ride.

CARMANDIA (Wild Rush) captured a 7 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claimer
last out while earning 101 BRIS Speed and 105 Late Pace ratings. The
four-year-old has experience winning over the track and at the distance, and
could fill out the gimmicks. GOLDEN LOCKET (Storm Creek) could earn part while
returning the dirt. The bay filly has spent her last five races running on
either turf or the Polytrack, and could offer some value in the bottom of the
exotics. WILD FIT (Wild Wonder) owns lower numbers than others in here, but
could surprise in the top four at a price while taking a drop in company.

MARY DELANEY (Hennessy) earned her first U.S. win last out, but that came on
Keeneland’s Polytrack and she might not be able to handle the dirt as well. We
we’ll watch for now. LADY PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) hasn’t been able to beat
others in here in the past and we don’t see her doing it here. HUMOROUS GAL
(Distorted Humor) was well back when trying stakes company in her only
black-type start and might be overmatched here. INDIAN FLARE (Cherokee Run)
appears out of her class in this spot.