Champali Digs In for Iroquois Stakes Victory

Front-running Champali re-rallied after relinquishing the lead in the stretch to score a one-length victory over Alke in the $100,000 Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at one mile over the Churchill Downs main track.

Jockey Pat Day brought the Kentucky-bred son of Glitterman-Radioactivity (Dixieland Band) home in 1:37.06. Champali is undefeated in three outings and earnings of almost $110,000 for owner Madison Farms IV LLC and Fred Lloyd. Gregory Foley trains the winner.

Champali, along the inside, fought with Alke and Bluegrass Spirit for the lead. Boston Park, making a four-wide move on the turn with Shane Sellers aboard, edged to the front in the stretch, but finished fourth. Champali edged back to the lead and pulled away from Alke. What A Bad Day, stuck behind horses much of the way, was a close third.

Sent off at 8.5-1 in the field of 10, Champali paid $19, $7.80 and $4.60. Alke returned $6 and $3.80. What A Bad Day paid $2.60. The $2 exacta was $98.20.

(Chart, Equibase)