Distinctive Dixie returns to races with victory in Chilukki

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Distinctive Dixie ran fresh and strong off a four-month layoff, powering away to a 1 1/2-length victory over Third Dawn in the Grade 2, $171,900 Chilukki Stakes, the top secondary feature on the Saturday Breeders’ Cup undercard at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Wally Dollase for the Bob and Beverly Lewis Trust, Distinctive Dixie returned $16.40 in her first start since finishing third in a small Indiana Downs stakes in early July.

After breaking sharply and briefly contesting the early pace in the one-turn-mile race, Distinctive Dixie was eased back into a comfortable fourth position by jockey Robby Albarado, who then angled her to the outside as the field approached the quarter pole, from where she took command before dominating down the lane. She finished in 1:36.67 over a fast track.

“She likes this track and trained good over this track before the race,” said Dollase. “We felt like she was going to run a big race, and she did. Robby rode a solid race and did a great job. It took us a little bit to get over a couple of minor issues.”

Third Dawn, also a factor throughout, finished another 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Always a Princess, the 7-5 favorite in a field of 11. Alpha Kitten was an early scratch.

Distinctive Dixie, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by Fusaichi Pegasus, now has won 5 of 18 starts. The Chilukki was her first stakes win.

“We have known for a long time she is so special,” said Dollase.

◗ One race earlier, Aegean ($17.20) and jockey Joel Rosario pushed past Rapport to win the $88,278 Dream Supreme Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Wearing blinkers for the first time since early in her 2-year-old season, Aegean chased Rapport throughout the six-furlong race before prevailing by three-quarters of a length. Happy Week was another neck back in third, while Nicole H, the 11-10 favorite, faded to seventh of nine.

Aegean, by Northern Afleet, is owned by Steve Bell and trained by Wesley Ward.