Churchill: Chilukki winner Two Sharp returns in Winning Colors

Rigney Racing’s ultra-talented filly Two Sharp is set to make her 4-year-old debut Monday against eight rivals entered in the 22nd running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs.

Two Sharp, a dominant 5 3/4-length winner of the Chilukki Stakes (G3) to close her 3-year-old campaign, has been preparing for her return since early April. The speedy daughter of Twirling Candy has been well-regarded throughout her five-race career, never going off at odds higher than 4-5.

Two Sharp broke her maiden at second asking by 11 1/4 lengths at Saratoga, then finished a close second to Brightwork in the Prioress (G3). She followed that effort with a 6 1/4-length allowance win at Keeneland before her Chilukki victory. Junior Alvarado will ride from post No. 9.

Brightwork also is slated to return in Monday’s Winning Colors. Owned by WSS Racing and trained by John Ortiz, Brightwork has been on the sidelines since finishing third in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) on Oct. 5 at Keeneland. She began her career with four consecutive victories, including the Debutante Stakes, Adirondack (G3) and Spinaway (G1). After off-the-board finishes in the Alcibiades (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies when trying two turns, she rebounded with a win in the Prioress after cutting back to one turn. John Velazquez will ride from the rail.

The Winning Colors field also includes multiple Grade 3 winner Hope Road, who recently finished second to Kopion in the Derby City Distaff (G1), and Mink’s Palace, winner of the Roxelana Stakes on opening night of the spring meet at Churchill Downs.