Chalon fires big shot off bench to win Skipat Stakes

BALTIMORE – No prep, no rust, no problems for Chalon. Unraced since finishing second by a head in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint last November at Churchill Downs, the mare made her return to the races a winning one with a two-length victory in the $100,000 Skipat Stakes on Friday at Pimlico.

This was the fourth career stakes victory for Chalon, who races for Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stable. The daughter of Dialed In is based at the Fair Hill Training Center with trainer Arnaud Delacour, who said the layoff was "by design" but added that he felt relieved to see the mare start her season on a strong note.

“We're just happy to get this one out of the way,” Delacour said.

Chalon ($3.20), favored under Javier Castellano, was fourth after the opening quarter as Everlasting Secret, the second-longest shot on the board, led through a split of 22.67 seconds. Castellano angled Chalon off the rail for a clear path around the leader on the turn through a half in 45.50. Chalon got to the front near the furlong marker and kicked away. The final time for six furlongs on a fast track was 1:09.46.

“She broke a touch slow. She's usually a little bit more aggressive to break and to get her position,” Delacour said. “Once she was in that spot, she looked like herself. She broke a touch slow, but she finished very well, and it looked like she had something left.”

Everlasting Secret easily held second by 1 1/2 lengths over Hailey's Flip, who nosed out Anna's Bandit for third.

Delacour mentioned the filly-and-mare sprint division’s summer races at Saratoga, such as the Grade 2 Honorable Miss on July 24 and Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 24, as targets for Chalon.

“Those are definitely races we'd consider,” Delacour said. “At the moment, we'll see how she comes back. We'd probably run her one more time in between. Just haven't decided where yet.”