Sally's Curlin up late to score in Chilukki Stakes

Sally's Curlin unleashed a furious rally in the stretch to get up in the final stages to win the Grade 3, $200,000 Chilukki Stakes on Saturday night at Churchill Downs.

Sally's Curlin ($5.80) was bumped at the start of the one-mile Chilukki and was still last of six under Corey Lanerie after a half mile. Up front, Cairenn had led the field through a moderate opening half in 46.47 seconds, with Grade 3 winner Mylady Curlin, the race favorite, tracking her two lengths back in second.

Mylady Curlin moved up around the far turn and edged past Cairenn to take the lead in upper stretch. At that point, Sally's Curlin was still fourth, and 2 1/2 lengths back. She swept past the leaders on the outside to edge past Mylady Curlin in the final stages, hitting the wire three-quarters of a length in front. She stopped the clock in 1:35.60 for the mile.

After Mylady Curlin, it was another 3 1/4 lengths back to Cairenn in third, followed by She's Pretty Lucky, Chocolate Martini, and Divine Queen.

Sally's Curlin is trained by Dale Romans for CJ Thoroughbreds, Left Turn Racing, and Casner Racing.

The consistent stakes performer Recruiting Ready ($5.20) rolled by 3 3/4 lengths while wiring the field the $120,000 Bet On Sunshine Stakes, the co-feature on the program.

This was the fifth career stakes victory for Recruiting Ready, who is trained by Stanley Hough for Sagamore Farm. His biggest win came earlier this year, in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes. He has placed in seven other stakes.