Ahh Chocolate should get trip she needs in Groupie Doll Stakes

Neil Howard was grimacing on Stephen Foster Handicap night at Churchill Downs. Seven Saturdays later, Howard would like a change of venue to lead to a change of expression.

As the trainer of Ahh Chocolate, Howard was somewhat puzzled, then disappointed, with how the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap unfolded June 18. Ahh Chocolate was much closer to the early pace than normal, then had no closing kick and faded to fifth as the second wagering choice in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Saturday at Ellis Park could bring an entirely new scenario as Ahh Chocolate will turn back to a mile as a solid favorite when she breaks from post 6 in the Grade 3, $100,000 Groupie Doll Stakes, the annual showcase event at the western Kentucky track. There is a full field of 12 fillies and mares for the Groupie Doll, and Howard is looking for somebody else to do the dirty work this time.

“On paper, this is a tough race,” Howard told Ellis publicity this week. “But it couldn’t set up better for her, plus we got lucky with a good post. There’s enough speed in there. She doesn’t really stalk but is a little bit farther back than stalking in a perfect world.”

Ahh Chocolate, a 4-year-old Candy Ride filly bred and owned by Stoneway Farm, will have Chris Landeros aboard in place of Brian Hernandez Jr., who is riding the rich West Virginia Derby card on Saturday at Mountaineer. Ahh Chocolate has earned nearly $400,000 as a two-time graded stakes winner from 13 career starts, accounting for the Grade 2 Falls City last fall at Churchill and the Grade 3 Allaire duPont this spring at Pimlico.

This will be the 35th running of the Groupie Doll, which was known as the Gardenia Stakes from 1982 to 2014. It was renamed to honor the two-time filly-and-mare sprint champion who won the 2011 Gardenia as a 3-year-old for trainer Buff Bradley.

First post Saturday is 12:50 p.m. Central, with the Groupie Doll going at 4:40 as the ninth of 10 races.

There’s a diverse and capable cast of challengers in the Groupie Doll, led by Engaginglee (post 5, Jesus Castanon), Kathballu (post 10, Didiel Osorio), You Bought Her (post 8, Francisco Torres), and Innovative Idea (post 1, Jon Court).

Engaginglee, second to Curalina in the Grade 1 La Troienne on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill, is trained by Dale Romans, a three-time winner of the Gardenia (2004, 2008, 2014).

“She stayed behind in Kentucky and is training real well for my crew back there,” Romans said via text message from his summer base at Saratoga.

Kathballu, trained by Ken McPeek, has knocked heads with major stakes fillies for much of her career and comes off a solid runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Chicago Handicap at Arlington Park.

You Bought Her, based in Chicago with David Hinsley, is the leading earner in the field with a $430,565 bankroll and figures prominently on a stretch-out from shorter races.

Innovative Idea has been third or better in 10 of her 15 starts and pulled a 9-1 upset in the Iowa Distaff in her last start, joining the ranks of stakes winners.

“She’s a model of consistency,” said trainer Eoin Harty.

As for other possibilities, Athena was cross-entered at Mountaineer for Saturday by trainer Helen Pitts, who also has Academic Break in the Groupie Doll, while a stunner by Crown d’Oro surely would lead to a giddy winner’s circle, given that the filly is trained by Bradley.

◗ Saturday also features the return of the $75,000 Ellis Juvenile (race 7, 3:40), a seven-furlong race that will have Honor Thy Father, Cardinal Sin, and Lookin At Lee as favorites in a six-horse field that also includes one filly, Caroline Test.

This will be the first Ellis Juvenile since it was discontinued after Colonel Rutledge won the 2008 running for McPeek, who is represented by Honor Thy Father.

◗ Ellis officials have announced that racing will be held Sept. 1 to make up for the July 4 card canceled due to heavy rain. The 30-day meet runs through Labor Day, Sept. 5.