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Chilukki dies of complications from foaling CHILUKKI (Cherokee Run), champion two-year-old filly of 1999, died just before dawn Monday morning at Hagyard Davidson McGee Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky, after developing complications during foaling. Her Ghostzapper colt was also lost. The first champion campaigned by Stonerside Stable, Chilukki was purchased for $875,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Her name translates to the word that the Cherokee use to describe themselves. Chilukki captured her first six starts. In her debut for Bob Baffert at Churchill Downs, the diminutive bay set a new track record of :51 for 4 1/2 furlongs while romping by nine lengths. Chilukki crushed colts next time out in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup S. (G3), and she equaled Churchill's 5 1/2-furlong mark of 1:03 3/5 when taking the Debutante S. (G3). She then dominated the California scene, racking up victories in the Sorrento S. (G2), Del Mar Debutante S. (G1) and Oak Leaf S. (G1). Chilukki suffered her first loss in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), but she still finished an admirable second. She had done more than enough to earn the Eclipse Award as champion two-year-old filly. During her sophomore campaign in 2000, she added scores in the Regret S., C.E.R.F. H. and most notably, the Churchill Downs Distaff H. (G2) in track-record time of 1:33 2/5 for a mile. In 2005, Churchill renamed the Distaff in her honor. At four, Chilukki captured the El Encino S. (G2) and finished runner-up in the La Canada S. (G2) in her final career start. She retired with a mark of 17-11-3-0 with $1,201,828 in earnings. "Chilukki was like a family member," Baffert said. "It's hard to accept when they are gone. She was special from the beginning. Her first start was brilliant. We were fortunate to end up with a filly that was so thrilling to watch run." "Chilukki was an exceptional filly from the day we purchased her," said John Adger, Stonerside's racing and bloodstock manager. "She was the first major horse for Stonerside and really put the stable on the map. We are so pleased that Churchill Downs decided to honor her with the Chilukki Stakes. It will be a lasting tribute to a great filly." This year's Chilukki S. (G2), boasting a purse of $200,000, is slated for November 3. The 10-year-old mare produced four foals, with both of her starters winning. Sequoyah, her juvenile colt by A.P. Indy, has been in training at Aiken, South Carolina, and is scheduled to arrive at Baffert's barn in California later this week. Her last foal is a dark bay yearling filly by Elusive Quality. Chilukki was expected to visit Bernardini this spring. Bred by Dr. and Mrs. R. Smiser West and Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie Miller, Chilukki was produced by the winning Damascus mare Song of Syria. She hailed from the family of Grade 1 hero Properantes (Protanto) and English Group 2 victor Doulab (Topsider). Chilukki was buried in entirety at Stonerside Stable near Paris, Kentucky.
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