Chilukki J

A full field of 12 has been entered to go a mile on Churchill Downs' dirt

in the Chilukki S. (G2) on Friday, and we think PROSPECTIVE SAINT (Saint Ballado) is going too good of late

to pick against. The Marty Wolfson-trained five-year-old tried Turfway Park's

Polytrack last out, turning in a subpar sixth in the Turfway Breeders' Cup S.

(G3). Prior to that, however, the dark bay mare was seen taking the Gardenia H.

(G3) at Ellis Park, and ran second in this event last year after battling for

the lead. Her numbers are on par with others in here, and Prospective Saint could

finally earn a win in this event with Eddie Castro aboard.

SANGRITA (Mr. Greeley) is a lightly raced sophomore, having made only four

lifetime starts. Two of those were wins, with the most recent coming off a

seven-month break by 3 3/4 lengths. She earned a 102 BRIS Speed rating for that

score, as well as 99 BRIS E2 and Late Pace figures. The Michael Matz-conditioned

Sangrita may not have as much experience as her rivals in here, but the bay lass

could certainly challenge for it all based on talent alone. Edgar Prado has the

call.

JOINT EFFORT (Runaway Groom) scored in the Sunshine Million Oaks in her first

race of the year, and added victories in the La Troienne S. (G3) and Dogwood

Breeders' Cup S. (G3) as well. She didn't do so well in her last two races while

taking on the best of her division, but could easily show improvement in this

spot. The chestnut miss loves the Churchill dirt (7-4-3-0) as well as the mile

distance (3-2-0-1), and could get back to the winner's circle under Mark Guidry.

VAGUE (Elusive Quality), winner of the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas earlier

this year, made her U.S. debut in July, running off-the-board in the Coaching

Club American Oaks (G1). She was off for three months before returning for a

much-improved effort in the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S.

(G1), leading into the stretch before tiring a bit late. The cutback in distance

here could be what the bay lass needs to breakthrough with her first U.S.

victory. Garrett Gomez will be holding the reins.

TRIPPI STREET (Trippi) is another lightly raced runner with only four starts

to her career, but will be tough in the top three of two nice efforts against

stakes company. The Wayne Catalano trainee broke her maiden by nine lengths

before finishing second in the Pocahontas S. (G3) last November. She was off for

nine months, returning two back to take an allowance at Arlington Park, before

another runner-up finish, this time in the Safely Kept S. The chestnut filly

owns the number to challenge and has been working well in advance of this one.

Robby Albarado is set to ride.

CARMANDIA (Wild Rush) captured a 7 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claimer

last out while earning 101 BRIS Speed and 105 Late Pace ratings. The

four-year-old has experience winning over the track and at the distance, and

could fill out the gimmicks. GOLDEN LOCKET (Storm Creek) could earn part while

returning the dirt. The bay filly has spent her last five races running on

either turf or the Polytrack, and could offer some value in the bottom of the

exotics. WILD FIT (Wild Wonder) owns lower numbers than others in here, but

could surprise in the top four at a price while taking a drop in company.

MARY DELANEY (Hennessy) earned her first U.S. win last out, but that came on

Keeneland's Polytrack and she might not be able to handle the dirt as well. We

we'll watch for now. LADY PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) hasn't been able to beat

others in here in the past and we don't see her doing it here. HUMOROUS GAL

(Distorted Humor) was well back when trying stakes company in her only

black-type start and might be overmatched here. INDIAN FLARE (Cherokee Run)

appears out of her class in this spot.