Churchill Downs: Wine Princess ideal fit for Chilukki

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As class drops go, the one Wine Princess takes in Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs is noteworthy.

Not only does she exit a Grade 1 race, having finished third in the Oct. 6 Spinster at Keeneland, but the two fillies that beat her – Emollient and Summer Applause – are running in the Breeders’ Cup. Emollient starts in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, and Summer Applause in the Filly and Mare Sprint.

With those two fillies now on the West Coast, Wine Princess is in a favorable position to win the Chilukki when she faces 11 rivals, led by Don’t Tell Sophia, Devious Intent, Sisterly Love, Ire, Magic Hour, and Pure Fun.

Wine Princess is 3 for 5 at Churchill Downs, with all of her wins coming at the Chilukki’s mile distance, albeit in easier maiden and allowance races.

Her trainer, Steve Margolis, said he has long targeted the Chilukki because of the distance.

“I think horses that have a little tactical speed just have a good style for that kind of race,” Margolis said.

Wine Princess, a 4-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper, will race in the colors of owner Becky Winemiller for Saturday’s race, under the terms of an agreement with Hill ‘n Dale Farm, which purchased her privately last month for breeding purposes.

Shaun Bridgmohan rides Wine Princess, who prior to the Spinster finished second in the Locust Grove at Churchill and second to Joyful Victory in the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth.

Adding intrigue to the Chilukki is the presence of a pair of 3-year-old fillies in Sky Girl and Pure Fun, who face older mares in a stakes for the first time.

Sky Girl won the Grade 3 Dogwood on Sept. 21 at Churchill. Pure Fun won the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks in her first start since finishing sixth in the Kentucky Oaks.

“That was a great win for her,” said Pure Fun’s trainer, Kenny McPeek. “She had problems in the spring – from a fever to an ankle – and we were behind the eight ball trying to get her ready.”

Last year at 2, Pure Fun won the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet, which was preceded by a 9 1/4-length romp in a mile allowance race at Churchill.

Saturday’s 10-race card includes the $60,000 Bet on Sunshine Stakes at six furlongs that drew eight sprinters, with Ack Ack third-place finisher Good Morning Diva the probable favorite.

Post times were adjusted for Saturday’s card to avoid timing conflicts with the Breeders’ Cup races from Santa Anita. First post is 2:15 p.m. Eastern, and beginning with the third race, there are breaks of approximately 40 minutes between races.

The Chilukki, which is the last of 10 races, will be run under the lights at 8:15, 20 minutes before the horses break from the gate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.