Bending Strings best in Chilukki Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jockey Robby Albarado enjoyed a memorable afternoon Sunday at Churchill Downs when riding the winners of the three richest races on a 10-race card, including favored Bending Strings in the Grade 2, $169,350 .

Bending Strings broke a nine-race losing streak when rallying from just off the pace to win by 4 1/2 lengths over Florida invader Prospective Saint. Miss Fortunate finished third, another 3 1/2 lengths back.

Bending Strings, bred owned by John Gunther, returned $4.60 after finishing a mile in 1:35.19 over a fast track. A 4-year-old filly by American Chance, she was making her third start since having been transferred into the care of trainer Wally Dollase at Churchill. Bending Strings has now won 6 of 24 overall starts and earned $833,385.

Earlier Sunday, Albarado won the $69,000 Cherokee Run aboard Atticus Kristy ($8.20), who rallied for a three-quarter-length victory over Ridge Runner, a 68-1 shot. Atticus Kristy, trained by Merrill Scherer, finished five furlongs in 57.73 seconds over a yielding turf.

Albarado also won a $59,235 allowance sprint aboard Stolen Time, a Ralph Nicks-trained colt who returned $74.40 as the longest shot in a field of seven.