Walkathon makes Regret third consecutive win as Leparoux hits milestone
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
“She’s got a motor that never stops,” trainer Ian Wilkes said after saddling the energetic Walkathon and sending her to the track for the Grade 3, $200,000 Regret Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf Saturday at Churchill Downs.
But Walkathon idled kindly early for jockey Julian Leparoux, getting a perfect stalking trip, shifting into high gear to get first run at the top of the lane, and then holding sway by 1 1/4 lengths over favored McKulick to win her third straight race.
It was the 1,000th career win at Churchill Downs for Leparoux, putting him in an exclusive club that also includes Hall of Famers Pat Day and Calvin Borel, along with Robby Albarado and Corey Lanerie.
“It feels great,” Leparoux said. “[Wilkes has] been a big supporter along the years, 15 years now, so it’s good to win for him, for sure.”
Walkathon ($7.20), a daughter of Twirling Candy who races as a homebred for Whitham Thoroughbreds, has found her niche routing on turf for Wilkes. The Regret, her stakes debut, followed a maiden win at Keeneland and an allowance-level score last month at Churchill.
Walkathon was away eagerly from the inside of the field of six under Leparoux, but longshot Lola Flo was keen to go on, and Leparoux downshifted his filly to sit off that leader early. The field was in single file at the end of Lola Flo’s opening half in 48.46 seconds on the firm turf, with Walkathon, 1 1/3 lengths off the leader, followed, in order, by Beside Herself, McKulick, Kneesnhips, and Candy Raid.
Walkathon began to reel in Lola Flo in the far turn, and, when given her cue by Leparoux, quickly shot away to open a three-length lead in upper stretch. McKulick gave chase late and was rapidly eating into the margin in the final sixteenth. Still, Walkathon easily held sway under a hand ride, finishing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.26.
Behind McKulick, it was 6 1/4 lengths back to Beside Herself, who raced evenly in third. She was followed, in order, by Kneesnhips, Candy Raid, and Lola Flo.