Interesting stakes action takes place at Churchill Downs this weekend, as the G3 Chilukki Stakes headlines an eleven-race card at the home of the Kentucky Derby. The Grade 3 is due off at 5:35 PM ET, with the field of fillies and mares aged three and older competing over a mile. A purse of $300,000 is available to winning connections this weekend.
Race History & Records
The Chilukki Stakes has been held annually since 1986, and it is part of the fall meeting schedule to be staged at Churchill Downs. Given the fact that many of the star performers are inactive during the winter months, it was downgraded to a Grade 3 in 2019.
Chilukki set the speed record when clocking a time of 1:33.57 in 2000, while Educated Risk boasts the biggest winning margin after finishing six lengths clear in 1994. Pat Day and Robby Albarado hold the jockey records with four victories, while Dale Romans and George Arnold II have both trained the winners on two occasions.
Bet on the Chilukki Stakes at BetDSI
Chilukki Stakes Leading Contenders
She Can’t Sing
There has never been a repeat winner of the Chilukki Stakes, but She Can’t Sing hopes to change that trend this weekend. The six-year-old is trained by Chris Block, and Brian Hernandez Jr will take the ride.
She was excellent when landing victory in this race 12 months ago, clocking a speed rating of 94. However, she is winless in five starts this term, and a return to Churchill Downs needs to spark a revival.
Nostalgic
William Mott unleashed Obligatory in this race two years ago, meaning that it can often unearth a promising runner to keep tabs on. Nostalgic could tick those boxes this weekend for the same trainer.
The four-year-old is back down in grade this weekend after she was last seen finishing a very respectable third in the G2 Beldame Stakes. She has been kept in high-quality company throughout the season, and she could take all the beating if repeating her form from Aqueduct last time out.
Falconet
Todd Pletcher and Luis Saez join forces with Falconet in the Chilukki Stakes this weekend. The four-year-old looked progressive in listed company at Ellis Park earlier in the year when landing the Groupie Doll stakes.
She found the G3 Locust Drive Stakes a little too hot in September, but she still clocked a fairly respectable speed figure of 92. However, her overall record this year deserves respect, as she has won three from six starts, and has finished outside of the first three on just two occasions.
Chilukki Stakes Prediction
She Can’t Sing deserves respect based on her success in this race 12 months ago, but she could be vulnerable against a more progressive rival on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Therefore, the preference is for Nostalgic for William Mott and Florent Geroux.
The four-year-old is back down in grade, and a repeat performance from her run in the G2 Beldame Stakes would make her incredibly challenging to beat on Saturday.
Pick: Nostalgic (bet it at BetDSI)
