The 18th Running of the Chilukki-G3

Saturday, November 19, 2022

CD Race #6 $300.000

3+ F&M 122/124 Lbs 1-Mile

Course Record-1:33.90 (Hollywood Eclipse-2021)

Stakes Record-1:34.69 (Eternal Jammer-2012)

#1 Zombie Storm (La Canada Racehorses/R.M. Hernandez 124): 5yo mare has taken two races from seven starts this season and both have been at this G3 level.  That latest score from back in June came over this same strip and she is drawn perfectly for this one-turn mile.  Depending on how quick they go early, there’s a chance this lass could hold rail-position in the tracking flight.  That would be the ideal scenario for her; however, don’t be discouraged if she’s tucked in just behind that group as she can win from either spot with the right set-up.

#2 Always A Virgin (Tinkey/T. Gaffalione 122): Sophomore lass has been on quite the impressive run since breaking the maiden in May.  That was the start of a four-race streak that culminated in WO G3 event and she just missed taking a BC auto-qualifier last out when she started quite a bit further from the rail.  Doesn’t face that same obstacle this time and, while she has to conquer another furlong, she seems to be setting herself up nicely for a monster 4yo campaign.

#3 Terra Command (Threshold/J. Lezcano 124): Mare has two wins on the season, both have come in big-money ungraded events, and both were at CD.  That bodes well for this lass as she takes another step up the class ladder.  Both victories saw her setting/disputing the early pace while she took a bit further back before rallying nicely to be runner-up in a G3.  5yo has been ITM in 75% of her 28-races, so should fully expect her to bring her race to this one.

#4 Secret Eyes (Arindel/J.C. Ferrer 124): 4yo filly’s last six starts have all been ITM efforts and took a HST G3 two-back.  Last ran here three-back when she just missed nailing her rival on the money.  Seems to be enjoying the best run of form of her career and, though she’s coming back in less than three weeks, this spot appears to be right up her alley.  This is a G1-winner at this trip and, while that score came as a juvenile, she appears to be heading back in that direction.

#5 Z Command (Smokey Stover/J.R. Velazquez 124): 6yo mare is an all-timer at HRP and enters off yet another G1 victory down the road at KEE.  Brings six consecutive ITM finishes into this engagement, and, the last five have seen her in the top two.  Ultra-consistent runner rarely produces a sub-par effort, so these gals will have to be at the top of their game if they want to best this one.

#6 League Of Legends (Smokey Stover/A. Cedillo 122): Dual-G3, and three-time stake winner on the season, hails from the same barn as the one directly inside her and gives the conditioner a formidable two-pronged attack for this.  Filly has done a lot of things well as a sophomore and she adds some spice to the pace scenario.  Probably going to get over-looked given the accomplishments of her stablemate; however, this lass brings her own very solid credentials into this.

Final Analysis: How good is Always A Virgin?  If she wins this, we may be looking at the early favorite for next year’s Distaff.  The outside pair present a strong challenge and the rest of these are here with high expectations of their own.  Maybe we see the birth of a star?  We’ll call it 2-5-6 in a very well-grouped G3 Chilukki.  Good luck everyone!  

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES