Charlie’s Penny likely for Rachel Alexandra Stakes

Chris Block didn’t bring Charlie’s Penny to Fair Grounds last fall looking to stretch the filly out. Things just turned in that direction, as a matter of course, and led to Charlie’s Penny winning the $150,000 Silverbulletday on Saturday.

Charlie’s Penny took command of the Silverbulletday in upper stretch and drew away to win by 3 1/4 lengths, running one mile, 70 yards in 1:43.80, which was good for an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

Charlie’s Penny won her debut this past summer at Arlington over five furlongs and stuck to sprints through her four-start 2-year-old campaign, which concluded with a second-place finish Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds in the six-furlong Letellier Stakes. It was only after that race Block began seriously considering trying a route with this Bob Lothenbach homebred, a daughter of Race Day and the Warrior’s Reward mare, Sweet Lorraine.

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“I had in my mind that she probably was a sprinter,” Block said. “Out of her last race, I liked the way she finished the last eighth, and we really didn’t have anywhere else to go right now, so we decided to give it a shot around two turns. This race being a mile 70, seemed like it could help her. She’s very rate-able.”

Charlie’s Penny paddles with her left front leg, and Block wondered if her “peculiar stride” might keep her from staying a route, but Charlie’s Penny had no trouble finishing the job Saturday, ate with vigor after returning to her stall, and looked well Sunday morning.

“She’s just low-key, very professional around the barn, doesn’t really tout you. She got the mile 70 yesterday, so we’ll probably try the Rachel,” Block said.

Block was referring to the Feb. 13 Rachel Alexandra, a Grade 2 over 1 1/16 miles that probably will attract a meaningfully stronger field than the Silverbulletday. But Charlie’s Penny already has outrun her trainer’s expectations, and maybe she can keep on going.