AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| FALLS CITY H.
(G2), 11TH-CD, $300,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/8M, 4:24 P.M. EST, 11-22 |
|
| 1 |
KETTLEONEUP, 4, f, by Victory GallopBugs Rabbit, by Storm Cat O-Tom Crouch; B-Tom Crouch (Ky) |
| 2 |
PANTY RAID, 3, f, by IncludeAdventurous Di, by Private Account O-Glencrest Farm LLC; B-Heaven Trees Farm (Ky) |
| 3 |
JILL INDY PULPIT, 4, f, by PulpitScope, by Devil’s Bag O-Doris Jamesin; B-Cherry Valley Farm LLC (Ky) |
| 4 |
HIGH HEELS, 3, f, by E DubaiOrnate, by Gilded Time O-Anita Ebert; B-Anita A. Ebert (Ky) |
| 5 |
LAMPOON, 4, f, by Distorted HumorWade for Me, by Western Playboy O-Nancy A Vanier & Cartwright Thoroughbred; B-Mr. & Mrs. Harvey L. Vanier (Il) |
| 6 |
TESSA BLUE, 3, f, by Awesome AgainBlue Sky Princess, by Conquistador Cielo O-W Bruce Lunsford; B-Frank P. Wright (Md) |
| 7 |
DELICATE DYNAMITE, 4, f, by Old TriesteMajestic Dy, by Dynaformer O-Combustion Racing LLC; B-Dr & Mrs R Smiser West & Mr & Mrs Mackenzie Miller (Ky) |
A field of seven will go forward at Churchill Downs on Thanksgiving Day for
the $300,000 Falls City H. (G2). TESSA BLUE (Awesome Again) exits a dominant 12
1/2-length score in the Inside Information Breeders’ Cup S. over the sloppy going at
Monmouth Park on October 26. The Frank Brothers trainee has a poor record in
three attempts beneath the Twin Spires, but has excuses for each one, and they
were all at distances much shorter than she prefers. This nine-furlong contest
is well within the reach of Tessa Blue, who was an impressive winner
of the Indiana Oaks (G3) last month. Mike
Smith has the call.
The 6-5 morning-line favorite PANTY RAID (Include) is on top of her game,
winning four of her last five, including the American Oaks Invitational S. (G1)
and the Spinster S. (G1) last time out. The
three-year-old filly has annexed graded stakes over all three types of surfaces
— dirt, turf and synthetic — and drilled a four-furlong bullet in :48 for trainer Todd Pletcher in
preparation for this one. She is always a threat. Garrett Gomez will be aboard.
Keep an eye on DELICATE DYNAMITE (Old Trieste) if rain shows up. The Tom
Amoss charge has plenty of experience on off tracks and should handle herself
well if less than perfect conditions present themselves. The four-year-old
chestnut has run no worse than fourth in her last five outings and should be
kept in mind for the exotics no matter what weather conditions emerge. Brian
Hernandez will ride.
In her last performance, KETTLEONEUP (Victory Gallop) moved her way up from
near last to capture the Autumn Leaves S. at Mountaineer Park to earn a
career-high 107 BRIS Speed Rating. Unfortunately, there won’t be much early
speed to run down here, but she remains a challenger for the money,
nevertheless.
HIGH HEELS (E Dubai) has been inconsistent since winning the Fantasy S. (G2)
in April. However, her two worst outings came when she ran seventh over the turf
in the Regret S. (G3) and when ninth in the Spinster over the Polytrack. She
improved off the Spinster when
switched back to the dirt to run second in the Chilukki S. (G2) earlier this
month at Churchill.
LAMPOON (Distorted Humor) exits a four-length score against state-bred company at
Hawthorne earlier this month and she will be facing her class limits in this
spot. JILL INDY PULPIT (Pulpit) also will be facing a steep class hike. We will
bet against.