She Can’t Sing Returns to Defend Title in Grade III, $300,000 Chilukki Stakes

Nov 11, 2023 Kevin Kerstein

Lothenbach Stables’ She Can’t Sing will attempt to defend her title on Saturday when she faces eight fillies and mares that entered the 38th running of the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

The one-mile Chilukki will take place as Race 10 of 11 with a post time of 5:35 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Chris Block, She Can’t Sing is an eight-time winner from 38 starts. The 6-year-old daughter of Bernardini has won four of those races here at Churchill Downs including her 3 ¾-length triumph in last year’s Chilukki. Block opted to return She Can’t Sing to the turf following her Chilukki victory where she finished fourth in the Tom Benson Memorial at Fair Grounds and third in the Lady Canterbury at Canterbury Park. The Chilukki will be She Can’t Sing’s first start since her fourth-place effort in the Romacaca Handicap in early August at Hawthorne. Brian Hernandez Jr., who rode She Can’t Sing in last year’s Chilukki, has the return call from post No. 5.

Block also has entered Richard Perkin’s 14-time winner Oeuvre, who’s set to make her first start against graded stakes company. The 4-year-old Illinois-bred is on a three-race win streak with victories in the Jean Elizabeth Handicap at Hawthorne and consecutive allowance wins at Kentucky Downs and Keeneland. Jockey Jareth Loveberry will be in the irons from post 4.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, a two-time Chilukki winner, aims for his third victory in the race with 2022 Gazelle (GIII) winner Nostalgic. Ridden by Florent Geroux from the rail, Nostalgic finished 10th in the 148th Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), just ahead of fellow Chilukki rival Hidden Connection who finished 12th. Nostalgic began her 4-year-old season in mid-July, finishing second to Sixtythreecaliber in a third-level allowance contest. Four weeks later she defeated five rivals in allowance company and would go on to finish third to Randomized and A Mo Reay six weeks later in the Beldame (GII). Mott previously won the Chilukki with Obligatory (2021) and Feasibility Study (1997).

Here is the complete Chilukki field from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Nostalgic (Geroux, Mott);Raindrops on Roses (Joe Talamo, Pat Huffman); Hidden Connection (Tyler Gaffalione, Bret Calhoun); Oeuvre (Loveberry, Block); She Can’t Sing (Hernandez, Block); Braganza (Declan Cannon, Eddie Kenneally);Falconet (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher); Be Like Water (Martin Garcia, Vicki Oliver); and Hot and Sultry (Ricardo Santana Jr., Norm Casse).

DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing resumed Saturday at Churchill Downs for an 11-race program that began at 1 p.m. There was a $97,592 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot and a $2,827 carryover in Race 1’s $1 Super Hi 5. … Jockey Chris Landeros reported Saturday that he will ride at Oaklawn this winter and reunite with his former agent Scott Hare. … Leading apprentice rider Axel Concepcion has moved his tack from the mid-Atlantic to Kentucky and will be represented by Bryson Cox. Concepcion has been regularly working horses in the mornings at Churchill Downs for several top outfits including Brad Cox and Michael McCarthy. The 18-year-old Puerto Rico native is currently under suspension but will be cleared to ride Thanksgiving Day. … Wednesday is Senior Day and guests 60 and older can enjoy lunch on Millionaires Row for only $34. Tickets can be purchased by calling (502) 636-4450. … Winter stall applications for Churchill Downs’ Trackside Louisville are due Friday. Applications are available in the Churchill Downs Stable Office. … Nominations for Turfway Park’s $125,000 Holiday Inaugural close Saturday, Nov. 18. To nominate, call or text Jackie Herbstreit at (859) 743-4333. … On Saturday, Nov. 18 Norton Healthcare will hold their second Athlete Wellness and Performance educational meeting with jockeys and their families. The meeting will be held starting at 11:30 a.m. in the Churchill Downs Backside Recreation Center.