Unbridledexplosion aims to continue momentum for red-hot Wilkes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ian Wilkes has been on something of a hot streak recently at Churchill Downs and would like to keep it going when another four-day race week gets under way Thursday evening.

In an eight-day span at Churchill, Wilkes sent out four winners, all in non-claiming events: Harass (maiden special weight) on June 6, Tiz Town (maiden special weight) on June 7, Bird Maker (second-level optional claimer) on June 11, and Island Town (Matt Winn Stakes) on June 13.

“It’s been a nice little run for us,” he said.

Wilkes has the 8-5 morning-line favorite in Unbridledexplosion for the allowance feature Thursday, a $58,500, second-level, main-track route that drew a field of eight fillies and mares. The 4-year-old daughter of Eddington comes off a dominating triumph in a first-level allowance May 9.

“I think she might really be catching on,” said Wilkes, noting that the filly had finished second in six of nine starts before that latest breakthrough. “She’s been very consistent and has always shown us ability.”

First post for the eight-race Twilight Thursday card is 5 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 8:09. One other allowance (race 6, 7:37) is on tap. The last race is set for 8:39.

KEY CONTENDERS

Unbridledexplosion (Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-59)

◗ She finally shed that bridesmaid’s tag when drawing off to win her latest by nearly six lengths as a 1-5 favorite under Brian Hernandez Jr., who has the mount back Thursday.

Awesome Jill (Last 3 Beyers: 72-76-68)

◗ This hard-trying filly who popped at a $43.40 mutuel on the Kentucky Oaks undercard was a decent second in the slop when wheeling back as an odds-on choice at this level May 25 for trainer Michelle Lovell.

Call Pat (Last 3 Beyers: 76-91-84)

◗ This well-traveled mare with a field-high 22 career starts is the only one in here entered for a $62,500 claiming option and is the wild card of the group, having made four of her last five starts in stakes races.

Impetuous Youth (Last 3 Beyers: 44-71-80)

◗ This homebred filly produced by Grade 1 winner I Believe in You stands to benefit substantially from her last start, in which she obviously was too keen when returning from a 4 1/2-month layoff.