Don't Tell Sophia prevails in Chilukki

Don't Tell Sophia rallied from last in a field of 10 fillies and mares to

sail past 5-2 favorite Wine Princess en route to a 2 1/4-length victory in the

Grade 2, $165,200

Chilukki

on Saturday night at Churchill Downs.

A five-year-old daughter of Congaree out of the Valid Expectations mare Lost

Expectations, Don't Tell Sophia ran a mile over a fast track in 1:35. Joe Rocco

Jr. rode the winner for trainer Phil Simms, who co-owns the Kentucky-bred mare

with Jerry Namy.

Devious Intent, Magic Hour and Cho Cho Cat battled for the early lead with

the first quarter-mile run in :22 4/5. Wine Princess rated just off the leaders

from the outside and Don't Tell Sophia trailed the field by as many as 8 1/4

lengths. After a half mile in :45 3/5, Wine Princess made her move on the turn

and grabbed the lead at the head of the stretch, but Don't Tell Sophia was

rapidly picking off rivals one by one. She was angled out seven wide entering

the stretch and kicked on gamely for the triumph.

It was the seventh win in 16 career starts for Don't Tell Sophia and her

first graded stakes win. Earlier this year at Oaklawn Park, she won the $75,000

Pippin and $98,000 Bayakoa and was third behind $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap.

She entered the Chilukki after a runner-up effort behind in the $102,600 Mari

Hulman George at Indiana Downs on October 5.

Don't Tell Sophia, the 9-2 third betting choice, paid $11.20.

Awesome Flower was third and was followed by Ire, Pure Fun, Sisterly Love,

Sky Girl, Magic Hour, Devious Intent and Cho Cho Cat completed the order of

finish. Soft Whisper and Ice Cream Silence were scratched.

The $97,303 first prize increased Don't Tell Sophia's career earnings to

$440,814 from a line of 16-7-3-2.

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