Salty Strike Scores Again at Churchill Downs

Two weeks after demolishing a field of optional claimers, Craig Singer’s homebred filly Salty Strike became a graded winner when she returned to Churchill Downs June 4 to take the $109,300 Dogwood Stakes (gr. III) by 3 3/4 lengths.

The 3-year-old daughter of Smart Strike   took over from pacesetter Fantasy of Flight approaching the quarter pole and opened up a commanding lead in the stretch en route to her third win in seven career starts. All three of the victories have come over the main track at Churchill, and she also finished third on the same oval in the Debutante Stakes (gr. III) as a juvenile.

Manoel Cruz guided Salty Strike to victory for trainer Ken McPeek, who one race later would win the Aristides (gr. III) with Noble's Promise for a stakes double. Salty Strike covered one mile on a fast track in 1:35.39.

The winner was bred in Kentucky and is out of the Salt Lake mare Lake Huron.