Leah's Secret pads earnings in Chilukki

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The rich got richer Sunday when Leahs Secret, the leading earner in the field, got a textbook stalking trip under Rene Douglas before driving clear to capture the Grade 2 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, Leahs Secret earned $100,366 from a total purse of $170,400, lifting her career bankroll to $775,805. The winner returned $8.60 as second choice after finishing a mile in 1:35.68 over a fast track.

Unforgotten, a 21-1 shot under Miguel Mena, made a sustained run to finish a half-length behind the winner and another three-quarters of a length before Swift Temper. Copper State, the 2-1 favorite had good inside position most of the way but failed to fire when finishing fifth. The field was reduced to 10 with the early scratch of Baroness Thatcher, the 3-1 morning-line favorite.

Initforthekandy and Super Freaky set the pace, with Leahs Secret always poised to strike. She did just that without urging after straightening for home, with Douglas finally putting her to a drive inside the eighth pole as he felt the closers getting nearer.

I said all I need to do is to time it right with this filly, and if everything goes right well win, said Douglas. Shes a nice filly against anybody, but timing is the key with her.

Leahs Secret, now a winner in 7 of 24 career starts, is a 5-year-old Florida-bred mare by Tiger Ridge. The Chilukki was her third graded victory, following the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland in 2006 and the Grade 3 Chicago Breeders Cup at Arlington Park in June.