Guarana wins her Grade 1 tuneup at Churchill Downs

Making her first start since September of 2019, multiple Grade 1 winner Guarana looked ready to jump back to that level Thursday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Under a patient ride by Tyler Gaffalione, the 4-year-old Ghostzapper filly loomed outside of the pace-setter through a half mile in 45.21 seconds and then pounced once they straightened for the wire.

“That’s about as easy as a horse can win,” Gaffalione said. “She’s a super classy filly and incredibly talented.”

Guarana coasted past the finish 5 1/4 lengths in front, completing seven furlongs in 1:22.58 in a likely prep for the July 11 Madison Stakes (G1) going the same distance at Keeneland.

Thursday's race ran under clearing skies but only after a deluge earlier on the card turned the track sloppy.

“She is an incredible filly and did everything so easily today,” said trainer Chad Brown’s Churchill Downs-based assistant, Whit Beckman. “There are bigger things down the road for her, but it is great to see her get back to the races, especially the way she was able to win as she did today.”

Brown trains Guarana for breeder Three Chimneys Farm and Hill ’n’ Dale Holdings Inc. This marked the filly’s fifth start after victories in Belmont Park’s Acorn (G1) and Saraotga’s Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) last summer. Her season ended in the fall when second in the Cotillion (G1) at Parx having closely chased a hot pace.

Rather than press on to the Breeders’ Cup, connections elected to shut Guarana down and wait for 2020. The journey began with this facile score as a 1/5 favorite under the Twin Spires.

Please Flatter Me rallied for second ahead of Sunny Dale, who set the opening fractions. Guarana returned $2.40 to win.