Molly Morgan finds best form in Chilukki

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Returning to the scene to some of her best races, Molly Morgan recaptured her best form Saturday in winning the Grade 2, $237,510 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Ninth early under Corey Lanerie, Molly Morgan made a steady advance up the fence – a maneuver rider and mare had used effectively to win the Fleur De Lis over the Churchill strip in June – and she blew past the opposition in mid-stretch to record a 2 1/4-length victory.

The winner, a 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper, raced a mile on fast main track in 1:36.97. She paid $4.20 as the favorite in the field of 10.

Street Girl rallied from mid-pack to grab second, edging the third-place Enchanting Lisa, a half-sister to Wise Dan, by a half-length for the place.
Though the second- and third-place finishers ran well, it truly was a one-horse race. The winner opened up a two-length lead in mid-stretch and never appeared in danger of losing.

“That was easy. That was fun,” said winning rider Corey Lanerie, who scored four victories Saturday at Churchill.

The winner, owned by Bill Cubbedge and trained by Dale Romans, improved her 2014 earnings to almost $500,000.