Chop Chop schools in paddock ahead of Saturday’s Keertana Stakes
At 1h50, on May 24, 2024 • By Santa Anita
Selective LLC’s recent Bewitch Stakes (Grade III) winner Chop Chop finalized her serious preparation ahead of Saturday’s $250,000 Keertana Stakes (Listed) by schooling in the paddock Thursday morning after training hours.
Run at 1 ½ miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course, the Keertana Stakes sets the stage for a rematch between the top four finishers from Keeneland’s Bewitch Stakes, held one month ago. Chop Chop finished 2 ¼ lengths clear of runner-up Atomic Blonde (GER) in the Bewitch, marking a successful return to turf after 13 months competing on either the dirt or Tapeta. The third and fourth place finishers of the Bewitch, Vegara and Tower Bridge, respectfully, are also entered in the Keertana.
Trained by Brad Cox, Chop Chop was tabbed as the 9-5 morning line choice against six rivals in Saturday’s race. The filly emerged as one of the top prospects on the Road to Kentucky Oaks 149 following her game runner-up finish to Wonder Wheel in the Alcibiades (GI) as a 2-year-old. In her 3-year-old season, Chop Chop went on to finish second to The Alys Look in the Silverbulletday Stakes before her disappointing fifth-place effort in the Rachel Alexandra (GII). Following that start, Cox briefly switched Chop Chop back to turf, where she finished third in the Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Memorial. Chop Chop would compete on dirt in her next three starts before switching to Tapeta for her next four.
Jockey Axel Concepcion will pilot Chop Chop in the Keertana from post No. 2.
