The Alys Look turns back stablemate Chop Chop in Silverbulletday Stakes
Chop Chop bounced back beautifully from her dud as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies yet still was turned back by her lesser regarded stablemate The Alys Look, as trainer Brad Cox ran one-two in the $100,000 Silverbulletday Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds. The Silverbulletday was for 3-year-old fillies going a mile and 70 yards.
Chop Chop, sticking much closer to the pace than she had finishing second in the Grade 1 Alcibiades in October and when she was last of 13 in the BC Juvenile Fillies, got a perfect stalking trip from third under Florent Geroux. At the quarter pole, Chop Chop, the 4-5 favorite, ranged up to The Alys Look, who had pressed pacesetting Hayunevano until taking command at the three-furlong marker, and appeared poised to sweep on to victory. Instead, The Alys Look grimly fought back, refusing to let Chop Chop pass and pulling away very late from a tiring Chop Chop to win by one length.
While Chop Chop bounced back, The Alys Look stepped forward. A third-start seven-length maiden winner with a moderate 72 Beyer Speed Figure early in the Fair Grounds meet, The Alys Look loomed and lost late momentum when second with a 75 Beyer behind Pretty Mischievous in the Dec. 26 Untapable Stakes at Fair Grounds. This performance hit a higher level, with Chop Chop finishing a whopping 13 1/2 lengths in front of Hayunevano, who won a show photo over late-running Forest Chimes.
“I think Chop Chop needed the race a little,” said Cox, who trains The Alys Look for Ike and Dawn Thrash. “Chop Chop ran well. Proud of the effort.
Cox said a poor second start from The Alys Look was a throw-out, a no-show on a sloppy track. The Alys Look raced twice in blinkers to start her career, but they came off for her maiden win.
“Take the Churchill race out, and she’s got a beautiful record,” he said. “She really showed some grit and determination today, took a step toward the Oaks.”
It was unclear which Oaks that Cox was referencing. There’s the Fair Grounds version March 25 and then the Kentucky Oaks the first Friday in May. The Silverbulletday is part of Churchill Downs’s Road to the Kentucky Oaks, and the first five finishers earned 20, 8, 6, 4, and 2 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks, which is capped at 14 runners. Cotton Candy finished fifth, more than eight lengths behind Forest Chimes, and was followed home by Amber Cascade and Norah G.
Saez was riding The Alys Look for the first time, taking the place of Geroux, who had his first try in a race aboard Chop Chop. The Alys Look broke alertly and took up a favorable spot just outside and behind Hayunevano, and even after going a half-mile in a solid 48.08, Saez stayed aggressive, making that early run on the pacesetter. Chop Chop jumped to his flank shortly thereafter, but Saez is a notoriously strong finisher and had the right horse underneath him Saturday. The Alys Look ($6.20) was timed in 1:43.56 for one mile 70 yards on a fast track.
Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr., she’s a daughter of Connect and the Harlan’s Holiday mare Foul Play.
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