Published Monday, July 29th, 2019   ( 4 years ago )

Cholula Lips Faces Seven Filly Rivals in C.T.B.A. Stakes Wednesday

Cholula Lips © Benoit Photo

Lovingier and Navarro’s Cholula Lips, runner-up in the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs in late June, will face seven two-year-old filly rivals Wednesday in the $100,000 C.T.B.A. Stakes at five and one-half furlongs over Del Mar’s main track.

Cholula Lips, a daughter of Empire Way trained by Mike Harrington, broke her maiden in stylish fashion in her career debut in May at Santa Anita, then was shipped to Churchill Downs for the Debutante, turning in a strong performance in finishing second, beaten a length and one-half,  to heavily-favored Magic Dance. She recently worked five furlongs in :59 flat at Los Alamitos. Rafael Bejarano again has the mount.

Among those opposing Cholula Lips will be the unbeaten and untested Bulletproof One, an easy winner of her only two outings. Bulletproof One won a maiden race by eight lengths in May at Golden Gate Fields and then captured the Everett Nevin Stakes in an equally impressive manner, by nine and one-quarter lengths, at Pleasanton July 6. Norberto Arroyo, Jr. will ride for trainer Peter Miller.

Others in the field are Roses for Laura, Edgar Payeras; None of Your Biz, Aaron Gryder; Bella Renella, Agapito Delgadillo; Wise Rachel, Joe Talamo; Unchain Her Heart, Edwin Maldonado, and Acai, Mario Gutierrez.

Seven races are on Wednesday’s program, with the opener at 2 p.m.