Falls City marred by fatal breakdown, scratches
On paper, the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap had a terrific lineup of 13 fillies and mares for its 100th running Thursday – then reality intervened.
Marty McGeeNov 27, 2015
On paper, the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap had a terrific lineup of 13 fillies and mares for its 100th running Thursday – then reality intervened.
Churchill Downs has struggled with filling races in recent years, as track officials have consistently cited the competition from tracks with slots as the most compelling factor, but this fall was a notable exception to the recent rule.
While the winner of last year's Empire Classic – the richest race restricted to New York-breds – was chasing Grade 1 glory Saturday in Kentucky, the winner of this year's Empire Classic has less lofty aspirations.
Clearly Now rallied for third on Thursday in the six-furlong Thanksgiving Handicap, and after the race trainer Ron Faucheux said he may take the horse out of town to find a longer sprint.
After winning races in bunches at Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs in the last few years, jockey Colby Hernandez has brought his tack to Fair Grounds with the intention of showing he's ready to step up in class.
Bear'sway will look to extend his winning streak to three and capture his first stakes victory in Sunday's $125,000 Display Stakes for 2-year olds over 1 1/16-miles on Polytrack at Woodbine.
Pender Harbour's accomplished career will come to an end at Woodbine on Sunday, when the 7-year old gelding will make his final start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Valedictory Stakes over 1 3/4-miles on Polytrack.
On Sunday, G. G. Ryder attempts to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate Fields. If G. G. Ryder wins, he'll be the first runner to sweep all three of the graded stakes races for older runners at Golden Gate Fields.
Federal intervention is not needed to fix the problem of illicit drugs in Thoroughbred racing. It can be resolved in a matter of weeks if certain leaders really want to address the problem.
Trainer Tom Drury Jr. saddles Glad Cat (#1, ML 10-1) in Friday's second race at Churchill Downs, a one-mile claiming race. Since Jan. 1, 2014, Drury is winning at a 41 percent clip when saddling a horse switching from sprint to route, for a return on investment of $5.01. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.