Finley'sluckycharm breaks fast in Dream Supreme win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., says his job is pretty easy aboard Finley’sluckycharm, who looks to be a rising star in the female sprint division.

“She’s so naturally fast that the best thing you can do with her is just stay out of her way,” Hernandez said.

The jockey was speaking moments after climbing off Finley’sluckycharm following her 8 1/2-length score in the $80,000 Dream Supreme Stakes for fillies and mares Friday at Churchill Downs. She finished the six furlongs in a sharp 1:08.58.

With her first stakes victory, Finley’sluckycharm ($3) remained unbeaten in her five outings at six furlongs or less. Her only loss came when seventh in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra, at 1 1/16 miles, earlier this year. Given a seven-month break following that race by trainer Bret Calhoun, the Twirling Candy filly has now won her last three starts, all at Churchill, by a combined 20 3/4 lengths.

“Today I just kind of rode her with all the confidence and let her show her stuff, and she showed it today,” said Hernandez, who has been aboard the filly for her last two starts.

Finley’sluckycharm broke alertly from post 6 in the field of eight fillies. She was hounded by Grace’s Treasure and Fioretti on her inside early through a sharp opening quarter of 21.87 on a track rated fast on a chilly day in Louisville. She shook those two off through a half in 45.26; she widened her advantage through the lane.

“She [breaks] fast and she kind of runs horses off their feet, which is a great aspect of hers,” Hernandez said. “They just can’t keep up with her and they kind of get tired of chasing after her.”

Second choice Moiety rallied for second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Athena.