Gold Standard, Whoa Nellie expected to headline Chilukki Stakes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gold Standard and the comebacking Whoa Nellie are among what figures to be a competitive group of fillies and mares for the weekend highlight at Churchill, the Grade 3, $100,000 Chilukki Stakes on Saturday.
Gold Standard was a sharp allowance winner earlier in the meet for Brad Cox. Whoa Nellie, a five-time winner in 10 career starts, will be making her first start in nine months. Whoa Nellie is trained by Larry Jones, who also intends to run Istan Council. Other probables include Chocolate Kisses, Finite, Grand Cru Classe, High Regard, and Sanenus.
Entries will be drawn Wednesday for the 35th Chilukki, which goes as a one-turn mile.
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Ties atop standings
With 10 programs remaining at the 24-day fall meet, things are all knotted up atop both the jockey and trainer standings.
Among riders, Florent Geroux and Ricardo Santana Jr. both have booted home 19 winners and are followed closely by Tyler Gaffalione with 17. Gaffalione topped the standings at the two earlier Churchill meets as well as both Keeneland meets and the Kentucky Downs meet.
Among trainers, Steve Asmussen and Mike Maker are tied with 11 wins, followed by Brad Cox with seven.
◗ The Mrs. Revere has been downgraded from a Grade 2 to a Grade 3 by the American Graded Stakes Committee after being moved from turf to dirt Saturday.
Race winner Princess Grace earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure from her 2 3/4-length triumph over Pass the Plate in the 1 1/16-mile Mrs. Revere. A Karakontie filly, Princess Grace now has won 3 of 4 career starts, all for Susan and John Moore and trainer Mike Stidham.
◗ Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s stable will be active at the upcoming holiday meet (Dec. 2-31) at Turfway Park prior to moving to Oaklawn Park for the balance of the winter, said Hollendorfer’s longtime assistant Dan Ward. Ward has been overseeing nearly 30 horses at the Trackside training center while Hollendorfer stays close to home in Northern California.