Romans seeks third Falls City score with Birdatthewire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dale Romans can’t remember a Thanksgiving without the racetrack. Even as a young boy growing up in Louisville, he would come to Churchill Downs from his nearby home with his father, trainer Jerry Romans.

That’s the main reason taking part in the traditional Thanksgiving feature, the Falls City Handicap, is so meaningful to Romans, who won the race in 2004 with Halory Leigh and 2012 with Afleeting Lady.

“It’s a special time with the family and all,” said Romans.

Romans believes he has an excellent chance for a third Falls City victory with Birdatthewire, one of a handful of contending 3-year-olds facing older mares Thursday in the 100th running of the 1 1/8-mile race. Birdatthewire is coming off a fifth-place finish in the Nov. 7 Chilukki, a one-mile race in which she was favored while making her first start in six months.

“You always think you have them tight enough coming off a layoff like that, or at least you hope so,” said Romans. “I’m thinking this could be a classic case of a horse needing a race. The extra distance should help, too.”

Romans also intends to have Keen Ice in the Clark Handicap, barring a sale that would preclude that from happening.