Finite seems to be hitting her best stride in time for Chilukki

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The filly Finite was in the midst of a five-race winning streak at this time last year, bound, it seemed, for further stardom at 3.

Then fate intervened. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic and all its scheduling complications coincided with Finite undergoing minor ankle surgery after her streak was snapped by a fourth-place finish as the 3-10 favorite in the March 21 Fair Grounds Oaks. Life since then hasn’t quite been the same for a Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred who will be looking to rediscover the winner’s circle when going postward Saturday in the Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs.

With Ricardo Santana Jr. riding for trainer Steve Asmussen, Finite will break from post 2 in a field of nine fillies and mares in the Grade 3, $100,000 Chilukki, which will be run as a one-turn mile on the main track. The most recent race for Finite actually was among her best ever, as she rallied to finish second by a neck to Venetian Harbor last month in the seven-furlong Raven Run at Keeneland, earning a career-high 96 Beyer Speed Figure. That followed a dismal effort in her only career turf try, the Sept. 15 Music City at Kentucky Downs following a six-month layoff.

“She went from like her worst race to her best race,” said Winchell racing manager David Fiske. “The Kentucky Downs race was really disappointing, but it did eventually serve as a useful prep into the Raven Run. It looks like the filly might be even faster now, given a little more age and maturity. Hopefully, she’ll run like that again Saturday.”

Finite is one of two 3-year-olds in the Chilukki, along with Grand Cru Classe (post 3, Tyler Gaffalione), who finished just a half-length behind her when third in a crowded conclusion to the Raven Run. Both fillies will try to become the third 3-year-old to win the Chilukki in its last four runnings, following Farrell (2017) and Sally’s Curlin (2019).

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Otherwise, the balance of the Chilukki lineup is comprised entirely of 4-year-olds, led by Whoa Nellie (post 4, Joe Rocco Jr.) and Gold Standard (post 5, Florent Geroux).

Whoa Nellie is returning from a nine-month layoff, having come to peak form over the winter at Oaklawn Park before trainer Larry Jones stopped on her. The daughter of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb has been on a regular breeze schedule in recent weeks, blowing out here Monday with a five-furlong drill in a minute flat.

Gold Standard signaled a return to her best stride when capturing a third-level allowance earlier at this meet for trainer Brad Cox. The Medaglia d’Oro filly, a $1.2 million purchase as a 2-year-old, is a four-time winner from 10 starts but has yet to win a stakes.

“She’s doing very well,” Cox said. “Hopefully, she can break through and win a graded race, which would really add to her residual value.”

Rounding out the Chilukki lineup are New Roo, Risky Mandate, Crazy Sexy Munny, Unique Factor, and Senanus. Of those, Risky Mandate (post 6, Miguel Mena) rates the best upset chance, given how effortlessly she won on opening day of the Keeneland fall meet, rebounding from a drubbing in the Grade 1 La Troienne.

The Chilukki showcases the three jockeys who are battling for top honors at the Churchill fall meet. Through Wednesday, and with nine of 24 programs remaining, Santana, with 21 wins, held a tenuous lead over Gaffalione (20) and Geroux (19).

First run in 1986, the Chilukki was renamed in 2005 to honor the filly who won 11 of 17 starts from 1999-2001 for Stonerside Stable and Bob Baffert. It’s the ninth of 10 races on a Saturday card that starts at 1 p.m. Eastern, with post time set for 5:06.

All 10 races are on the main track because turf racing at Churchill has been canceled for the remainder of the meeting. The lone allowance on the undercard, a $92,000 route for fillies and mares, goes as race 3 with just five betting interests.

The local forecast for Saturday calls for a chance of rain and a high of 57. Televised action is available through FS2.