Ahh Chocolate Looks Hot in Locust Grove

The Sept. 17 Locust Grove Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs drew a field of six fillies and mares, but the battle for supremacy for the $100,000 purse should boil down to two, Ahh Chocolate and Innovative Idea, in the 1 1/16-mile heat.

Although Innovative Idea defeated Stoneway Farm's homebred Ahh Chocolate in the most recent start for both, the Groupie Doll Stakes (gr. III) at Ellis Park Aug. 26, that result may flip in the Locust Grove. Ahh Chocolate is proven at the Louisville oval, where she won the Falls City Handicap (gr. II) last November and has won twice with one second in four starts. The 4-year-old daughter of Candy Ride, trained by Neil Howard, is the most accomplished entrant in this race—she took the Allaire DuPont Distaff (gr. III) at Pimlico last May—and did not get a clean trip in the Groupie Doll. She is reunited with regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. here.

"You're not going to win every time, at least I don't see that they do," Howard said. "Nothing is perfect, you never say that. But so far she's trained very, very well and she does like the track and she's doing great. I think she's a very straightforward filly and has held her form, all her races have been good. Basically, she's a very uncomplicated filly and I feel that she has trained nicely for this race."

Godolphin Racing's Innovative Idea is on a two-race stakes winning streak, having won the Iowa Distaff before scoring in the Groupie Doll, both from tracking trips. She figures to be on or just off the lead again here, and her six lifetime victories tops the field. She will be dangerous if able to maintain her recent form.

Sweetgrass is a consistent sort and is multiple graded stakes-placed. She ran evenly for third most recently in the Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga, and before that finished third in the Shuvee Handicap (gr. III) in the slop at the Spa. The bad news is she checked in 13 lengths behind Curalina that day and beat only one horse to the line.

Engaginglee is another who has tussled with Curalina, checking in a distant second in the La Troienne Stakes (gr. I) under the Twin Spires. She was third behind Stonetastic in the Inside Information (gr. II) earlier this season, but was well-beaten by the top choice in the Dupont and then threw in the towel in the Groupie Doll, finishing 10th.

Romantic Vision has spent most of her career in maiden and first-level allowance company and would need a major step forward to contend. Miss Pink Diva has flashed speed but also looks to be up against it here.