Morticia gets another shot at Triple Chelsea

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When last they met four weeks ago at Keeneland, Triple Chelsea was surging past Morticia to win the Giant’s Causeway.

They’ll be rematched Saturday over the Churchill Downs turf in the featured Unbridled Sidney, albeit under a scenario that might help Morticia turn the tables.

In the 5 1/2-furlong Giant’s Causeway, Morticia took heat every step of the way while racing closest to the turf rail, including a sustained mid-race eye-to-eye battle with heavily favored Lady Aurelia. Once both fillies were largely spent, Triple Chelsea rolled past for an 8-1 upset for jockey Adam Beschizza and trainer Joe Sharp, with Lady Aurelia finishing second and Morticia third.

Saturday, given the shorter five-furlong distance and an outer post, Brian Hernandez Jr. will be looking to work out a more favorable trip after being given a leg up on Morticia by trainer Rusty Arnold.

These differing circumstances should help make for a very interesting eighth running of the $70,000 Unbridled Sidney. In all, 10 filly-mare turf sprinters are entered, with track linemaker Mike Battaglia having pegged Triple Chelsea (post 3, Beschizza) a slight 9-5 favorite over Morticia (2-1, post 9). Next on the Churchill line are Ruby Notion and Justa Lady, both at 8-1.

The Unbridled Sidney, named for the speedy mare who once held the Churchill record for five furlongs on turf, goes as the ninth of 11 races on a solid Saturday card that also includes two allowances (races 4 and 7) and three maiden-specials (races 6, 8, 11). First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 4:55. The Unbridled Sidney is part of the 20-cent Single 6 sequence (races 6-11) that began Friday with a rollover jackpot of $385,132.

The Saturday forecast calls for a high of 90, mostly sunny skies, and about 150,000 fewer fans than what turned out here a week ago for the Kentucky Derby.

When the four-day race week ends Sunday, a sizable crowd is expected here, as usual, in celebrating Mother’s Day.

KEY CONTENDERS

Triple Chelsea. by Hat Trick
Last 3 Beyers: 98-93-90

◗ This 5-year-old mare has come to a career peak since being claimed for $62,500 by Brad Grady in September, winning three stakes in this division, all with an unrelenting stalking style.

Morticia, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 91-92-92

◗ She’s been a major factor in this niche division for well more than a year now, habitually flashing big speed while cumulating a career mark of six wins from 11 starts.

Justa Lady, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 72-70-79

◗ One win and two seconds from three starts over the Churchill turf make this Steve Asmussen trainee a prime consideration for the exotics.

Ruby Notion, by Great Notion
Last 3 Beyers: 82-89-89

◗ Layoff of nearly 10 months is an obvious concern for a handy West Virginia-bred with a bullet last work.