Outside suits Triple Chelsea

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Given a choice, most horsemen prefer an outside post to an inside one in sprint races. Yes, the inside is the shortest way home, but the outside decreases the chances of a troubled trip while often affording a jockey more options.

In that context comes Triple Chelsea as the apparent horse to beat Saturday in the $65,000 Unbridled Sidney Stakes, which will be run at five furlongs over the Churchill Downs turf.

Triple Chelsea fared respectably in two of the toughest races held this year in the national filly-and-mare turf-sprint niche – the Jan. 28 Ladies Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park and the April 15 Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland. On Saturday, Triple Chelsea stands to benefit from a stark reversal in post position from the Giant’s Causeway.

Triple Chelsea broke from post 2 in that race, and on Saturday, she’ll start from the outside post in a field of 11.

“Last time, I don’t think she fired when down on the inside, so I think the outside could be better for her,” said Tony Granitz, who trains the 4-year-old filly for Calvin Johnston and Carlos Tonda. “Plus, she has run well over the Churchill turf.”

An abundance of speed is signed on for the Unbridled Sidney, which is slotted as the 10th of 11 races on a card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Triple Chelsea, with a handy stalking style, could carry jockey Alonso Quinonez into an ideal spot for the final quartermile.

KEY CONTENDERS

Triple Chelsea, by Hat Trick Last 3 Beyers: 85-89-89

◗ After finishing a fast-closing third on the Churchill turf in November, this filly won the Lightning City at Tampa Bay Downs, then was a creditable third to Pretty Perfection at Gulfstream and fourth to Lady Aurelia at Keeneland.

Nobody’s Fault, by Blame Last 3 Beyers: 90-86-87

◗ The runner-up at 51-1 behind Lady Aurelia in the Giant’s Causeway, this Lothenbach Stables homebred will be looking to validate that surprise performance when Corey Lanerie climbs aboard for the first time. Miss Gossip, by Big Bad Bob Last 3 Beyers: 86-82-79

◗ This rapidly improving Irish-bred filly will be looking for a fast pace to set things up for a stretch run that has carried her to allowance victories in her last two starts.

Clairenation, by Bernstein Last 3 Beyers: 70-51-88

◗ Her form went awry over the winter at Fair Grounds, where her trainer, Greg Foley, struggled. But Foley has four wins already at this young Churchill meet, and the 5-year-old mare has a 2-for-2 record over the local turf.

Melaleuca, by Half Ours Last 3 Beyers: 67-86-75

◗ Speedy 7-year-old gray mare tends to do some of her best work here, with one win and three seconds from four attempts over the Churchill grass.