Betting With, and Against, Ragtime in the Chilukki Stakes

A terrific group of seven fillies and mares will go the one-turn mile on the Churchill Downs dirt in Saturday’s $300,000 Chilukki S. (G3). Godolphin homebred #7 Ragtime (8-5) is the one to beat from the outside post slot for conditioner Bill Mott. By Union Rags, the sophomore lass will be facing off with her elders in the stakes ranks for the initial time in the affair, but could surely be up to the task with her best performance. 

Ragtime – With

• $15 exacta 7 with 2,6 ($30)
• $2 trifecta 7 with 6 with all ($10)

Ragtime – Against

• $20 win #6 One Magic Philly ($20)
• $5 trifecta 2,6 with 2,6,7 with 2,6,7 ($20)

The chestnut has never run a bad one in her five-race career. She proved to have an affinity for the local surface when powering home a 2 1/4-length victress of the Dogwood S. (G3) here on Sept. 20. She missed by a neck in the Test S. (G1) at Saratoga three back, and she was last seen falling a half-length short in the Raven Run S. (G2) at Keeneland most recently. The deep-closing filly has earned triple-digit Brisnet Late Pace ratings in five outings at seven-eighths and will endure the eight panels with relative ease. She gets the blinkers back on and will have regular pilot Junior Alvarado on board. 

Conditioner Brendan Walsh has been on a strong run for the majority of the second half of the season and will send out #6 One Magic Philly (3-1) for this tilt. The Good Magic four-year-old moved to this barn prior to defeating allowance foes at Keeneland most recently, and if she improves at all, then the bay will be a major threat in her first run on the course. Her lone try at the distance was a clear second behind Grade 1 starlet Splendora, so I have confidence that she will like the distance. Tyler Gaffalione will take the reins. 

The impressive #2 Shred the Gnar (5-2) will get a serious test against this fine cast for trainer Brian Lynch. The $610,000 daughter of Into Mischief graduated with ease at Gulfstream Park in March and followed it up with a facile allowance triumph beneath the Twin Spires on Kentucky Oaks Day. She faces elders and stakes runners for the first time, though she is long on talent and also looks like the one to catch in the event. Luis Saez will send her from the break.