Eclatant survives stretch battle to win Chicago Stakes
Odds-on 3-5 favorite Eclatant, winner of the Madison (G1) at Keeneland in April, needed every bit of the 1,234.5-foot stretch at Churchill Downs to surge past 10-1 Foie Gras in the final jump and win Saturday night's 36th renewal of the Grade 2, $300,000 Chicago Stakes by a head.
Eclatant, a 4-year-old homebred filly for Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables, clocked seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:22.62. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for trainer Brad Cox. This was Ortiz's third consecutive win in the Chicago after piloting Vahva to victories in 2023-24.
It nearly didn't happen because Foie Gras, a close third in last month's $250,000 Winning Colors (G3), was determined not to give up the lead after taking command in upper stretch.
Lotsandlotsofcandy set a pressured pace of 22.56 and 45.27 seconds with 5-2 second choice and Winning Colors winner Usha on her right hip and Foie Gras in close pursuit three wide in third. Eclatant tracked in fourth tucked along the rail.
Leaving the turn, Foie Gras and Usha made the first run and put away the fading Lotsandlotsofcandy as Eclatant had to wait for racing room. As Foie Gras spurted clear to a length advantage, Eclatant tipped out three wide to challenge. The two battled gamely down the length of the stretch, and it wasn't until the final yards that Eclatant got up for the triumph.
"She's really started to get better this year," Ortiz said. "We had to wait awhile to get room in the stretch but once she was able to get clear she dug in hard to get it done."
"She really ran hard tonight to get the job done," Cox said. "It was another battle down the lane, just like in the Madison, and she got her nose down at the right time. We're really proud of her effort again tonight and a big congratulations goes out to Stonestreet. When we brought her back this winter at Gulfstream Park we could tell she really matured and grew into herself. She's continued to improve off of that race and has really turned into a top sprinter."
Ricardo Santana Jr., aboard runner-up Foie Gras, said the filly left nothing behind. "We sat a really good trip and she moved into contention on her own around the turn," Santana said. "Once she got by (Usha) in the stretch she continued to dig in and did everything but win."
The victory was worth $180,350, boosting Eclatant's earnings to $885,423 and her record to 9: 6-0-1.
It marked Eclatant's third stakes win. She also won the $165,000 Forward Gal (G3) at Gulfstream Park as a 3-year-old.
Eclatant paid $3.54, $2.66 and $2.30. Foie Gras, under Santana, returned $5.62 and $5.46. Evanescence, who finished 2 1/4 lengths back of the runner-up at 12-1 under Luis Saez, paid $4.34 to show.
Queen's Martini, Beauty Reigns, Zeitlos, Usha and Lotsandlotsofcandy completed the order of finish.
Eclatant, a Kentucky-bred, is a daughter of Into Mischief out of the Scat Daddy mare Downside Scenario.