Indian Vale romps in Falls City 'Cap

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three-year-old Indian Vale whipped her elders and gave her trainer, Todd Pletcher, yet another major stakes triumph on the Kentucky circuit when the filly pulled away under John Velazquez in the 90th running of the Grade 2 on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

After stalking the early pace, Indian Vale, the 2-1 favorite, put away front-running Flying Glitter leaving the far turn and proceeded to capture the $338,700 Falls City by 6 1/2 lengths. Pampered Princess, a 5-year-old mare making her 32nd and last career start, finished second, another 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Miss Fortunate in a field of 10 fillies and mares.

"She was going good all the way around there," said Velazquez. "At the top of the turn, I gave her a little tap on the shoulder, and that was that."

Indian Vale returned $6 after finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.25 over a fast main track. Indian Vale, by A. P. Indy, was bred in Canada by her owner, Eugene Melnyk.

The Falls City winner's share of $209,994 helped to bring Pletcher to the brink of breaking the North American all-time earnings record for one year. Heading into Friday, Pletcher was less than $30,000 from surpassing Bobby Frankel's 2003 record of $19,147,129.

The win by Indian Vale was her fifth in six career starts and perpetuated a huge year in Kentucky for Pletcher, who is based primarily in New York. Pletcher already had won such major races as the Lane's End with Flower Alley, the Blue Grass with Bandini, the Lexington with Coin Silver, the Kentucky Cup Classic with Shaniko, and the Shadwell Mile with Host.

Indian Vale's triumph as the favorite was an exception on an afternoon when longshots ruled at Churchill. Among the winners triggering big mutuels were Arbitrate (25-1) in the second race, Stars and Glitter (16-1) in the sixth, Westwind Brewing (17-1) in the seventh, Solo Cat (18-1) in the eighth, Anegada (15-1) in the 10th, and Deputymay-ormargret (8-1) in the 12th.

Ontrack attendance on the Thanksgiving holiday was 11,189.