Twirling Candy Filly Walks All Over Regret Rivals

[Wandering Eyes]

WALKATHON (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Walkabout, by Stroll) was coming into form at the right time with a pair of wins once switched to the turf this spring and carried that form into her first graded score in the GIII Regret S. at Churchill Downs Saturday. Breaking her maiden at fifth asking in her first try on grass in a two-turn event at Keeneland Apr. 22, she followed suit with an optional claimer score over this course May 14 and was given a 5-2 chance for this step up in class. Overage longshot Lola Flo (Get Stormy) sped out to the early lead with Walkathon stalking from second through early splits of :24.19 and :48.46. Todd Pletcher-trained Beside Herself (Uncle Mo) tracked that pair from third with heavily favored McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) off her heels in fourth. They maintained that order through three-quarters in 1:12.91. The patient Walkathon charged up to take command from the tiring pacesetter at the quarter pole and entered the lane with a head of steam. Beside Herself and McKulick attempted to keep pace with her in early stretch, but Walkathon was just hitting her best stride, turning on the afterburners for a good-looking score. McKulick tried to rally in the lane, but proved no match for the winner, though she was able to close the gap to two lengths at the line.

Saturday, Churchill Downs
REGRET S.-GIII, $200,000, Churchill Downs, 6-4, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:49.26, fm.
1–WALKATHON, 118, f, 3, by Twirling Candy
                1st Dam: Walkabout (GSW, $242,563), by Stroll
                2nd Dam: Arlucea, by Broad Brush
                3rd Dam: Bayakoa (Arg), by Consultant's Bid
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes; J-Julien R. Leparoux. $122,760. Lifetime Record: 7-3-2-0, $290,341. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–McKulick (GB), 118, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Astrelle (Ire), by Makfi (GB). (180,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Essafinaat UK Ltd (GB); T-Chad C. Brown. $39,600.
3–Beside Herself, 118, f, 3, Uncle Mo–Excited, by Giant's Causeway. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Michael B. Tabor; B-Chelston (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $19,800.
Margins: 1 1/4, 6 1/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 2.60, 0.80, 4.40.
Also Ran: Kneesnhips, Candy Raid, Lola Flo.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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