Farrell Back to Winning Ways in Chilukki Stakes

Coffee Pot Stables homebred Farrell returned to her winning ways Nov. 4 in Churchill Downs' $200,000 Chilukki Stakes (G2), taking over early on to win by a length.

The daughter of Malibu Moon  won her first three starts of the year for trainer Wayne Catalano before finishing 14th in the May 5 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). Farrell finished fifth in her only start since the Oaks—the Sept. 23 Dogwood Stakes.

"She's a hyper filly so when we brought her back off the layoff we knew she may get worked up," Catalano said.  "That's exactly what happened. She did us so well today and ran great. The real Farrell is back."

Breaking well from post 5 under jockey Channing Hill in the 14-horse field, Farrell chased Moiety, Sweet Legacy, and Kathballu out of the chute and onto the backstretch with the first quarter-mile going in :22.94.

Late in the backstretch Farrell took over and ran the half-mile in :46.05 and six furlongs in 1:10.72 with Moeity giving chase, but fading in the homestretch. While Farrell opened up on the field heading to the wire, Money'soncharlotte emerged from the pack, closing for second with Motown Lady getting up or third.

"She was so good today," Hill said. "I really wasn't expecting to be on the lead that quickly today, especially after the first furlong. Once we made the lead she finished as well as she could. I waited a bit at the eighth pole to give her a bit of a breather and she responded very well. This is the filly that Wayne (Catalano) believed in all along."

Farrell completed the mile over a fast track in 1:35.90 and paid $10.40, $4.80, and $5 across the board. 

Bred in Kentucky, Farrell is out of the graded stakes-placed mare Rebridled Dreams (Unbridled's Song), making her a half sister to grade 1 winners J.B.'s Thunder and Carpe Diem .