Shred The Gnar hits the wire to win the Chilukki, Kurtis Coady Photo
Churchill Downs Press
Louisville, KY – Flying Dutchman’s 3-year-old filly Shred the Gnar returned from a 197-day layoff and led every step of the way in Saturday’s 40th running of the $300,000 Chilukki presented by Resolute Racing (Grade III) at Churchill Downs on her way to a determined 2 ¾-length win over One Magic Philly.
Breaking from post position No. 2 in the field of six fillies and mares, Shred the Gnar, who hadn’t raced since a seven-length romp in a first-level allowance on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, went right to the front and dictated the pace through splits of :22.97, :45.48, 1:09.26 and 1:21.80. One Magic Philly, the winner of last year’s $100,000 Chillingworth (GIII) at Santa Anita, chased throughout but could not keep up with Shred the Gnar in deep stretch as she stopped the teletimer in 1:34.84 for one mile over a “fast” track to collect her first career stakes win.
Luis Saez rode the winner for trainer Brian Lynch and owner Travis Boersma’s Flying Dutchman.
“She’s a pretty special filly,” said Saez, who has ridden her in each of her four career starts. “When I rode her first time out I could tell she had a ton of talent. She came back so professional off the layoff. Today she proved she’s a Grade I type of filly.”
Shred the Gnar banked the $183,450 first prize in the Chilukki and rewarded her backers with $7.20, $4.02 and $2.46 as the 5-2 third betting choice. One Magic Philly, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, finished second at odds of 9-5 and paid $3.52 and $2.24.
Ragtime, the winner of the $300,000 Dogwood (GIII) in September, could not close into serious contention and was another length back in third as the 6-5 favorite under Junior Alvarado and returned $2.10. Groupie Doll winner Impel was fourth and was followed by 50-1 outsider Zadorsky and Canadian synthetic graded stakes winner Literate. Runaway Diva was scratched.
Overall, Shred the Gnar’s record now stands at 4-3-1-0—$312,410. She is a bay daughter of Into Mischief out of the Bernardini mare Aspen Light and was bred in Kentucky by Camas Park Stud & Lynch Bages LTD.
“She’s loaded with talent,” Lynch said. “It means a whole lot more coming back off the layoff like that. I think she could go longer if she needed to and the future is very bright for her.”
Known as the Churchill Downs Distaff from 1996-2004, the Chilukki was renamed in 2005 to honor Stonerside Stable’s graded stakes-winning filly. The daughter of Cherokee Run made four starts at Churchill Downs, all of which were victories. Chilukki won the 2000 edition of this race in what would be her final start with a final time of 1:33.57 – a track record at the time.
CHILUKKI QUOTES
Luis Saez, Jockey, Shred the Gnar (winner): “She’s a pretty special filly. When I rode her first time out I could tell she had a ton of talent. She came back so professional off the layoff. Today she proved she’s a Grade I type of filly.”
Brian Lynch, Trainer, Shred the Gnar (winner): “She’s loaded with talent. It means a whole lot more coming back off the layoff like that. I think she could go longer if she needed to and the future is very bright for her.”
