Distinctive Dixie Rolls Late Under Albarado to Take Grade II Chilukki; Aegean Takes Dream Supreme

Nov 06, 2010 Gary Yunt

The Robert and Beverly Lewis Trust’s Distinctive Dixie, coming off a four-month layoff, cruised to a 1 ½-length victory over Third Dawn to win the 25th running of the $171,900 Chilukki (GII) for fillies and mares on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Ridden by Robby Albarado, who won the Chilukki for a record-equaling fourth time, Distinctive Dixie stalked the pace set by Double Espresso through fractions of :23.21 and :46.47 down the backstretch straightway.

Leaving the far turn, Albarado swung Distinctive Dixie three wide and collared new leader Third Dawn at the head of the stretch and drew off for the victory. Distinctive Dixie covered the mile on a fast main track in 1:36.67.

Trained by Wally Dollase, Distinctive Dixie is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus out of the Dixieland Band mare A Lady From Dixie. The victory was worth $100,183 and increased Distinctive Dixie’s bankroll to $383,154 with a career record of 5-6-3 in 18 starts.  She has a record of 3-1-0 in six races at Churchill Downs.

Distinctive Dixie returned $16.40, $7.20 and $4.60. Third Dawn, ridden by Calvin Borel, returned $9.80 and $4.80 in finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of favored Always a Princess, who paid $3 to show under Martin Garcia. Completing the field in order were Bronx City Girl, Double Espresso, First Passage, Emmy Darling, Direct Line, Devil by Design, Be Fair and Taste’s Sis.

In the race preceding the Chilukki, Steven Michael Bell’s Aegean won the $88,300 Dream Supreme overnight stake for 3-year-old fillies by three-quarters of a length over Rapport.

    Trained by Wesley Ward and ridden by Joel Rosario, Aegean ran her record to 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs having taken the Kentucky Juvenile (GIII) in April 2009 against males.

    Aegean covered the six furlongs on a fast main track in 1:09.56. The victory was worth $52,558 and increased the winner’s career earnings to $217,283 with four victories in 11 starts.

Aegean returned $16.60, $7 and $4.60. Rapport, ridden by Martin Garcia, returned $5.20 and $3.60 with Happy Week rallying for third a neck back of Rapport under John Velazquez and paying $4 to show.

    Racing resumes Sunday at 12:40 p.m. (all times Eastern) with an 11-race program highlighted by the 37th running of the $100,000-added Cardinal Handicap (GIII) for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course. Post time for the Cardinal is 5:15 p.m.

POST RACE QUOTES

WALLACE DOLLASE (Trainer, Distinctive Dixie, winner) –  “We have known for a long time she is so special. She likes this track and trained good over this track before the race. We felt like she was going to run a big race and she did. We are very pleased and very excited about this race. Robby (Albarado) rode a solid race and did a great job. It took us a little bit to get over a couple minor issues and she proved today she is in top form. She is a beautiful filly. It is a big thrill to win this race and we are excited to win on Breeders’ Cup day.”

Robby Albarado (jockey, Distinctive Dixie, winner): “I had a great trip. For a second there I got scared going into the turn, I got squeezed back and had to shuffle to the outside and once she got there so content and she came home nice. This is great. I love Churchill Downs and it’s nice to do well here.”