Churchill Downs victory is first in a graded stakes for Kallio.
Kallio outkicked grade 1 winner and 1-2 favorite Starship Jubilee in deep stretch to score a three-length victory in Thursday’s 46th running of the $175,000 Cardinal Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares Nov. 28 on the turf at Churchill Downs.
Kallio, a 4-year-old filly owned by Madaket Stables (Sol Kumin and Jason Monteleone), Tim and Anna Cambron and Bradley Thoroughbreds (Peter R. Bradley III), ran 1 1/8 miles over “yielding” turf in 1:55.07 to collect the first graded stakes win of her career.
Tyler Gaffalione rode the winner for trainer Brendan Walsh. Earlier on the day, Gaffalione piloted Mylady Curlin to victory in the $300,000 Falls City (GII).
Breaking from post position No. 2 in the field of 11, Kallio was rated in eighth from the inside down the backstretch as Limari carved out a clear early lead through fractions of :24.58, :50.02 and 1:15.67. Starship Jubilee, the winner of the grade 1 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine in her previous start, commenced her run with a four-wide move around the final turn, and Kallio, who swung to the outside, followed her every step of the way.
The favorite took the lead at the top of the stretch but it was short-lived as Kallio relished the soft turf and collared Starship Jubilee just inside the final furlong to draw clear late.
The triumph was worth $101,990 and increased the Kentucky-bred’s earnings to $336,095. She boasts a record of 4-2-3 in 16 starts. Previously, Kallio finished seventh, but was beaten only four lengths, in a $77,000 allowance over 1 1/16 miles on Keeneland‘s turf course Oct. 19. In August, Kallio won the $98,625 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf at Ellis Park.
