Two Sharp answered any questions about her distance limitations Nov. 23, decimating her competition by 5 3/4 lengths in the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.
A filly jockey Junior Alvarado called "high energy in the mornings", Two Sharp utilized her natural speed to secure the lead in the opening strides of her second test against graded stakes company. In her first black-type attempt, the Rigney Racing runner dropped a neck decision to grade 1 winner Brightwork after a stretch-long dogfight in the Prioress Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Racecourse. Dropped down to allowance company in her next outing, Two Sharp roared to a scintillating, 6 1/2-length score against older rivals at Keeneland.
Although Too Sharp was exiting a dominant victory, trainer Phil Bauer outfitted the bullish filly with blinkers in the Chilukki.
"We added a small cup set of blinkers today to just keep her a little more focused," Bauer said. "They looked like they did the job down the lane. You could tell down the backside Junior was just letting her go at her own pace and she was opening up on the field. She showed us there was no issue handling the mile distance and maybe could get a little further one day if she keeps running like that."
Loose on lead with a limp rein, Two Sharp tore through opening splits of :22.86 and :44.86 with no signs of stopping.
"I never felt like she was going that fast or traveling that hard, but that's what good horses do," Alvarado said.
Striking the far turn on top by five under a motionless Alvarado, the Twirling Candy filly threw down six panels in 1:09.11 before sailing to the wire in 1:34.40. Alvarado had wrapped up on the 4-5 favorite in deep stretch, saving more in the tank for next time.
"Our goal is the La Brea," said owner Richard Rigney. "We thought this would be a good place to try a mile. She ran unbelievable. I had no concerns, she just ran them off their feet. I saw the fractions and thought, 'Oh my, good, she's so fast so easily.' "
The Dec. 26 La Brea Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park is the final prize for 3-year-old fillies before the year closes. Two-for-four over sprint distances, the fleetfooted Two Sharp will need to cut back once more for the seven-furlong La Brea.
Royal Spa and Taxed completed the trifecta behind Two Sharp ($3.94).
Purchased by Rigney Racing for $925,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Two Sharp is the only foal produced from the Distorted Humor mare Double Sharp. Bred by Woods Edge Farm in Kentucky, Two Sharp hails from the family of multiple graded stakes-winning mare Bsharpsonata (Pulpit).
With her Chilukki score, Two Sharp became the second graded stakes winner on the dirt this year for Lane's End stallion Twirling Candy. Currently sitting atop this year's list of leading turf sires and seventh on the general sires list, Twirling Candy has sired 13 stakes winners in 2024, led by grade 1 winner Iscreamuscream. The son of Candy Ride will stand the 2025 breeding season for a fee of $60,000.
