Falls City marred by fatal breakdown, scratches

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – 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.

In early afternoon came the scratch and retirement of Frivolous, the morning-line favorite and a three-time stakes winner over the local strip. The 5-year-old mare was diagnosed with a minor tendon injury following a routine morning gallop.

Then came the scratch of Tiz So Sweet, who was 4-1 for a couple of rotations on the tote board before it was belatedly announced – well after multirace wagers had been affected – that the 4-year-old filly was being withdrawn because of a fever. She will soon head to Payson Park in Florida to join trainer Bill Mott’s main winter string.

And then a nightmare, as Chide broke down badly in her left foreleg nearing the quarter pole during the race, traumatizing many of those who witnessed the incident. The 3-year-old filly, bred and owned by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider and trained by Al Stall Jr., was quickly euthanized because of the severity of her injury.

For Neil Howard, the trainer of the victorious Ahh Chocolate, the tragedy took some wind out of his happy sails. Howard had been focused solely on his filly and had not noticed the incident.

“You just feel so bad when that happens,” he said.