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Chelokee battles back in Northern Dancer Centennial Farms' CHELOKEE (Cherokee Run) overtook leader Zanjero (Cherokee Run) in late stretch to capture the $223,800 Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Primed in a perfect stalking position throughout by Ramon Dominguez, the talented dark bay took a brief lead turning for home only to be passed by Zanjero shortly thereafter, with the latter reaching one mile in 1:36. It appeared that Zanjero was well on his way to a victory, but the three-year-old drifted through the stretch, opening the door for a game Chelokee to fight back in the latter stages, getting the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 2/5. The final margin was a neck, and the Michael Matz trainee paid $4, $3 and $2.10 as the even-money choice. "I'll tell you, it's a wonderful feeling (to come back and win at Churchill Downs)," Matz said. "When he kept coming at (Zanjero), it sure made it exciting. This race was a lot harder than the last one and he showed he was up to the task." Zanjero ran a winning race until losing his focus late, paying $4 and $2.60 while completing the $18.40 exacta at 4-1. Sam P. (Cat Thief), the nearly 7-2 second choice, was another 2 1/4 lengths behind, capping the $44.40 trifecta. Show paid $2.80. Loose Leaf (Notebook) trailed by 5 3/4 lengths while sitting on the bottom of the $159.80 superfecta. True Competitor (Point Given) was next and followed by Tsali (Maria's Mon), Prom Shoes (Include) and Portobello Road (Storm Cat). Chelokee captured the first edition of the Barbaro S. in his previous effort and finished a hard luck third in the Florida Derby (G1) two prior. For his career, the sophomore sports an 8-4-1-2 mark with $357,425 in earnings. The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Gulf Coast Farms Bloodstock and attracted a bid of $290,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was produced from the Grade 2-placed Dixie Ghost (Silver Ghost) and is a half-brother to stakes winner and Grade 2-placed Mymich (A.P. Indy), as well as impressive juvenile debut winner Salute the Sarge (Forest Wildcat).
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