After winning stakes in her second start and finishing 1st in her third race at age 2, a stakes win was thought to be on the horizon for her. Hurry up .
Instead, that milestone will be elusive but on April 26, the talented 4-year-old daughter of City of light takes on business with the $290,125 Bewitch Stakes (G3T) at Keenelandachieve a score of 2 1/4 lengths Atomic blonde in the 1 1/2 mile test for mares and older mares.
Winning trainer Brad Cox said several things happened in Chop Chop’s career to hold on to her Graded glory until her 15th start, making the victory on the closing day of the spring season becomes especially satisfying.
“It was a deal that had a little bit of ups and downs,” Cox said. “She was able to overcome her maiden on the turf and win the Kentucky Downs (Juvenile Fillies Stakes). We moved her to dirt and she ran a really good race here (second by a nose in the Alcibiades Stakes).
#Hurry up receive $300,000 in Bewitch (G3T) shares @keenelandracing under the direction of Axel Concepts for Coach @bradcoxracing and selective owners! 🌟🌟 pic.twitter.com/vnyGapxwFp
– BloodHorse (@BloodHorse) April 26, 2024
“I remember working before the Breeders’ Cup Fillies. I thought she was going to win. We got her through Breeders’ Cup week and she was really inconsistent. We got to the paddock and she really didn’t. She didn’t get over her anxiety and didn’t run away.”
Although Chop Chop finished the table as the favorite on the day, she was typically consistent—entering Friday’s test with 11 wins or placings in 14 catches first—consists of two wins and four bets.
Her task will become easier on Friday as morning favorite War like a goddess was scratched by trainer Bill Mott. Daily Racing Form reported she kicked her own stall and suffered a small cut. The 7-year-old daughter of English Channel has won three previous Bewitch awards.
Chop Chop has built the foundation at Turfway Park in the winter with two wins—including a clear score in the Wintergreen Stakes—and two seconds. Axel Concepcion took part in three of those four races and the 2023 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey held on to his lead on Friday, claiming his first graded stakes win.
“I feel very happy,” Concepcion said, acknowledging the effort put in to reach this important milestone. “Working hard and being dedicated all those mornings; I was so happy.”
Since arriving in North America last spring, Atomic Blonde has placed in four graded piles. Vergara was a class 3 winner and went out 3-2, found a track position early but showed no other momentum as he finished in third place.
While the versatile Chop Chop won at the 1 1/2 mile distance, completing the race in 2:27.80, Cox noted that he thinks she can have success over yard distances as well shorter grass.
Chop Chop is powered by Jerry Bach’s Selective. Bach has had a lot of success at Keeneland. While racing as Select Stable, he campaigned Take Charge Lady, a three-time Grade 1 winner at the Lexington track for trainer Ken McPeek.
Bred in Kentucky by Cobra Farm and MRJ Thoroughbreds, Chop Chop is the maiden stakes winner for Giant’s Causeway mare Grand Sofia, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Rail Trip.
Videotapes: Bewitch S. Presented by Keeneland Sales (G3T)
