Multiple
graded stakes-winner Joyful Victory is scheduled to make her next start
in Saturday’s Chilukki (GII) at Churchill Downs and a good performance could
land her back at the home of the Kentucky Derby for the Falls City Handicap
(GII) on Nov. 22.
The
Chilukki is scheduled to be run at one mile on the main track and the Falls
City will be contested at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.
“If
she runs well, we might bring her back in the Falls City,” trainer Larry
Jones said. “She can run at two turns just as well as she can run at one
turn.”
Fox
Hill Farms Inc.’s
Joyful Victory made her most recent start in the Zenyatta (GI) at Santa Anita
and finished second to Love and Pride. Prior to that effort, Jones
considered running her in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (GI).
“We
felt like she had to win to get in (to the Ladies Classic),” Jones said. “The
horse that beat her, who’s a very good horse, might be 15-1 in the Ladies’
Classic. I’m very impressed with the quality of the field. It’s pretty deep
water.”
After
the Ladies’ Classic was taken out of consideration, the connections set their
sights on the Chilukki. A 4-year-old gray/roan daughter of Tapit, Joyful
Victory has recorded two workouts over the Louisville track in prep for her
first start at Churchill Downs since finishing fourth in the 2011 Kentucky Oaks
(GI). On Monday, she breezed five furlongs in 1:02 on the fast main track.
“She
worked really well and finished up nicely,” Jones said. “She’s doing good.”