Juddmonte’s multiple graded stakes-winning filly Bonny South headlines a competitive field of seven fillies and mares that entered the 106th running of the $500,000 Falls City (Grade II), the centerpiece on the 12-race Thanksgiving Day program at Churchill Downs.
The Thanksgiving Day card at Churchill Downs has been a Louisville tradition since 1969. There are more than 7,000 turkey dinners scheduled to be served from executive chef Dave Danielson and his team. First post is 11:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) and the 1 1/8-mile Falls City will go as Race 11 at 4:22 p.m.
Trained by Brad Cox, Bonny South bypassed the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) and stayed at Churchill Downs for the Falls City. The 4-year-old daughter of Munnings finished third in the $500,000 Spinster (GI) to multiple Grade I winner Letruska. Prior to her Spinster effort, Bonny South nearly defeated Letruska in the $600,000 Personal Ensign (GI) at Saratoga but came up a half-length short. Bonny South finished second in last year’s Falls City as the 4-5 favorite to Three Chimneys Farm and Walking L. Thoroughbreds’ Envoutante. Bonny South will be ridden in the Falls City by Florent Geroux from post No. 6.
Envoutante is slated to defend her title in the Falls City. The 4-year-old filly by Uncle Mo won the $150,000 Shawnee Stakes at Churchill Downs in late May. Following her 4 ¼-length victory, the Kenny McPeek trainee had back-to-back third-place finishes to Letruska in the $300,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) and Shedaresthedevil in the $400,000 Locust Grove (GIII). In her most recent start, Envoutante finished fifth in the Spinster. McPeek’s go-to rider Brian Hernandez Jr. will be in the saddle from post 4.
The Falls City field also includes Three Diamonds Farm’s $1 million Cotillion (GI) third-place finisher Army Wife; Lothenbach Stable’s recent seven-length allowance winner Audrey’s Time; owner/trainer Ignacio Correas IV’s five-time winner Cheetara (CHI); WinStar Stablemates Racing’s Locust Grove runner-up Crystal Ball; and G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s four-time Churchill Downs winner High Regard.
Here is the Falls City field from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Crystal Ball (Tyler Gaffalione, Rodolphe Brisset); Cheetara (CHI) (Julien Leparoux, Ignacio Correas); High Regard (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); Envoutante (Hernandez, McPeek); Army Wife (Joel Rosario, Mike Maker); Bonny South (Geroux, Cox); and Audrey’s Time (Corey Lanerie, Neil Pessin).
Wagering is available online at www.TwinSpires.com, the official ADW of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
Churchill Downs Press Release
Photo: Bonny South (CD Photo)
