GUARANA made a splashy return to action when easily winning a seven-furlong allowance over sloppy going at Churchill Downs.

Confidently ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Guarana won by about five lengths when ridden out the last 100 yards, finishing in 1:22.58. The 4-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper returned $2.40 as a heavy favorite when making her first start in more than eight months.

PLEASE FLATTER ME was second and SUNNY DALE was third in a field of eight fillies and mares.

Trained by Chad Brown for Three Chimneys Farm and Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Guarana won 3 of 4 starts when beginning her career last year at 3, including wins in the Grade 1 Acorn and Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks.

Brown currently has 24 horses under the care of assistant Whit Beckman in his first-ever meet-long foray into Churchill. Now based mostly in New York after an extended stay in Florida, Brown has been rotating his horses in and out of Churchill, so it’s quite possible Guarana could head to New York ahead of her next start.