In just her fifth career start, Two Sharp delivered a dazzling performance in the Grade 3 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs, securing her first stakes win in commanding fashion.
The 3-year-old filly crushed a field of older fillies and mares with a gate-to-wire victory, finishing 5 3/4 lengths ahead of her nearest rival, Royal Spa. Her final time for the one-mile race was an impressive 1:34.40, the second-fastest in the 39-year history of the race, trailing only the namesake Chilukki’s 1:33.57 from 2000.
Two Sharp’s dominant run solidifies her reputation as a rising star, making her a compelling name for bettors analyzing horse racing odds and upcoming events on the horse racing schedule.
A Record-Setting Pace Leads to a Commanding Victory
Breaking from post position No. 4 under jockey Junior Alvarado, Two Sharp wasted no time establishing herself at the front of the pack. She set blistering fractions of :22.86 for the first quarter-mile, :44.86 for the half, and 1:09.11 for six furlongs—the fastest three-quarter-mile split in Chilukki Stakes history. Despite the torrid pace, she maintained her dominance in the stretch and cruised to the wire unchallenged.
Trainer Phil Bauer, who added a small set of blinkers to sharpen her focus, praised her ability to handle the mile distance effortlessly. He noted that her smooth stride down the backstretch and ability to dictate the pace were instrumental to her success. Alvarado, flying in from New York for the mount, described the ride as effortless, crediting Two Sharp’s natural speed and control throughout the race.
Two Sharp’s victory was a culmination of her steady improvement this year. After breaking her maiden at Saratoga with an 11 1/4-length victory in her second start, she narrowly missed winning the Grade 3 Prioress at Saratoga in August, finishing second by a neck to Grade 1 winner Brightwork.
She entered the Chilukki off a commanding 6 1/4-length allowance win at Keeneland, showcasing her progression with every race.
Future Plans for Two Sharp
Owned by Rigney Racing, Two Sharp has now earned $366,698 from a record of 5: 3-2-0. Bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm, she is a daughter of Twirling Candy out of the Distorted Humor mare Double Sharp.
With her first stakes win secured, her connections are eyeing Grade 1 company next. Her next start is expected to be the $300,000 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, a seven-furlong race that suits her style.
Two Sharp’s bettors were rewarded handsomely, with the 4-5 favorite paying $3.94 to win, $3.18 to place, and $2.40 to show. Royal Spa, ridden by Flavien Prat, finished second at 8-1, paying $6.82 to place and $4.82 to show. Taxed, also at 8-1, completed the trifecta, paying $4.32 for her third-place finish.
The Chilukki Stakes, originally known as the Churchill Downs Distaff, was renamed in 2005 to honor the legendary Chilukki, who won this race in her final career start in 2000. Two Sharp’s incredible performance on Saturday adds a new chapter to the storied history of this race and positions her as a filly to watch in the coming months.
