Cox Believes Chilukki a Logical Spot for Spelling Again

Sea Jay Racing LLC’s Spelling Again will take another shot at a graded stakes triumph in Saturday’s $200,000 Chilukki (GII). Last time out, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Awesome Again was a troubled fourth in the Thoroughbred Club of America (GII) at Keeneland, her lone start against such caliber.

 

“She had a little bit of an unfortunate trip in the beginning of that race [TCA] and got bounced around a little bit,” trainer Brad Cox said. “She had lost a little ground but still ran great and galloped out in front for what that’s worth. It was a good showing, we were beaten two lengths in a Grade II. She was beaten only a neck behind Judy the Beauty and plus we had a wide trip so I think we could’ve definitely had a better trip but that’s horse racing. Had she won or ran second we would have tried for the Breeders’ Cup. We were actually thinking about trying the Breeders’ Cup anyway but just kind of thought that it would have been a good field and she probably would not have got in. We’re obviously high on her and she’s been doing great.”

 

Cox believes the Chilukki to be most logical spot for Spelling Again, whose last victory came two starts ago in the Open Mind at Churchill Downs in September.

 

“The race is good timing,” Cox said. “I like the one-turn mile with her I think she can do anything between three-quarters and a one-turn mile. She did the two-turn mile at Indiana, but that was a two-other-than allowance and this is deeper water. As long as she settles, she should be tough going a one-turn mile.”

 

Cox is looking ahead with Spelling Again, stating that the Humana Distaff (GI) on the Kentucky Derby undercard is the long term goal for next year.

 

“I guess the real goal is to get her graded stakes placed,” he said. “But actually we talked about treating the Humana Distaff as our Breeders’ Cup. We’re taking it one step at a time. That would be a goal for next spring because seven-eighths would fit her real well here. She’s really training well and she’s on her game. If she shows up like we think she will, she’ll be tough.”