LOUISVILLE, Ky. – WILBO had finished second in the Aristides at Churchill Downs in 2017, then third in the 2018 renewal. The third time proved a charm Saturday night when the 7-year-old gelding earned a hard-fought victory in the 31st running of the Grade 3, $125,000 Aristides under the lights.

“He always brings his ‘A’ game,” said Chris Hartman, who trains Wilbo for owner Chris Wilkins. “I thought maybe he’d lost a little lately, but no, I think he’s coming back. We’re glad to have him. I feel blessed.”

In winning for the 11th time in 34 career starts, Wilbo turned the tables on his recent conqueror, SHARE THE UPSIDE, who was sent away the 7-10 favorite in a field of seven older horses on the strength of a terrific winter campaign at Oaklawn Park. But after forcing all the pace, Share the Upside had nothing left for the drive, fading to finish fifth.

Instead, it was Wilbo, ridden by Corey Lanerie, who outfought a couple of longshots, PETROV (second) and ZIPP ON BY (third), in a ferocious stretch drive. The winner returned $11 after finishing six furlongs in 1:09.27 over a fast track.

“I was trying to wait as long as I could,” said Lanerie. “Wilbo had (Petrov) in his sights. I think I was more worried than the horse was.”

Wilbo, a Kentucky-bred gelding by Candy Ride, is now 6 for 9 at Churchill, with two of those defeats coming in prior runnings of the Aristides. His career bankroll now stands at $745,980.

Saturday marked the 50th Downs After Dark card since Churchill began using lights in 2009. The night’s theme commemorated the 50th anniversary of the famed Woodstock festival, with many fans decked out in hippie regalia. Ontrack attendance amid ideal weather was 17,151. 

Extravagant Kid ($8) wins Mighty Beau

Given a heady ride by Tyler Gaffalione, EXTRAVAGANT KID surrendered the early lead, the re-rallied to prevail in the secondary feature, the $92,350 Mighty Beau at five furlongs on turf. JAZZY TIMES was second at 29-1, and TEXAS WEDGE was third at 18-1. BOBBY'S WICKED ONE, the 8-5 favorite in his grass debut, loomed boldly before fading to finish last of eight.

Claimed in January 2018 by Brendan Walsh for $75,000 for the DARRS Inc. of David Ross, Extravagant Kid now has 10 wins and nine seconds from 34 starts for earnings of $542,073 after finishing in 56.79 seconds over firm going. The 6-year-old gelding was bred in Florida and therefore missed out on a sizable bonus restricted to Kentucky-breds.

The lone female in the original lineup, MORTICIA, was an early scratch in favor of running here Sunday in a $104,000 allowance restricted to fillies and mares. OM also was an early scratch.