Finite back in winner's circle with Chilukki Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Finite is back. The Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred who reeled off a five-race win streak before being sidetracked was a dominant 2 1/2-length winner Saturday at drizzly Churchill Downs when pulling away in the Grade 3, $100,000 Chilukki Stakes.

“For her to be back in the winner’s circle, where she belongs, is excellent,” said Steve Asmussen, the Hall of Fame trainer of the 3-year-old Munnings filly. “She’s a quality filly.”

Finite returned $4.40 as the favorite in a field of nine fillies and mares after finishing a one-turn mile in 1:35.53 over a track that remained fast despite intermittent rain throughout a gray and chilly afternoon.

Ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Finite bided her time toward the back through the opening half-mile of the 35th Chilukki, with Santana getting her under way in the turn while steering wide and in the clear. Sanenus, always near the pace from her outside post, made the lead after wheeling for home, but she was no match for the winner in the final furlong. Whoa Nellie was third and Gold Standard was fourth.

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From last September through February, Finite reeled off wins in a maiden race and four straight stakes, ending with the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra.

“She put together a real nice run there,” Asmussen said.

But after finishing fourth as the 3-10 favorite in the Fair Grounds Oaks, the pandemic struck, and the filly underwent surgery to remove a tiny ankle chip. In two starts after the layoff that followed, she was well beaten in a turf race at Kentucky Downs, then finished an encouraging second last month in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland.

“With everything upside down in 2020, with everything moved, we took care of some little issues, gave her some time,” Asmussen said. “Then I thought her effort in the Raven Run was very good.”

The Grade 1 La Brea on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita will be the next race for Finite, Asmussen said.

Three-year-olds now have won three of the last four runnings of the Chilukki, with Farrell winning in 2017 and Sally’s Curlin in 2019. Grand Cru Classe, who wound up fifth as the 4-1 second choice, was the only other 3-year-old in this field.

The $2 exacta (2-9) paid $41.20, the $1 trifecta (2-9-4) returned $118, and the 10-cent superfecta (2-9-4-5) was worth $92.48.

The Chilukki anchored a 10-race card, all run over the main track. Turf racing at this 24-day fall meet ended Nov. 12.