Bonny South Taking On Elders For First Time In Thursday’s Falls City

Juddmonte Farms' $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (Grade 2) winner Bonny South tops a competitive field of nine fillies and mares that were entered in Thursday's 105th running of the $200,000 Falls City (G2) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

The 1 1/8-mile Falls City has been run on Thanksgiving Day beneath the historic Twin Spires since 1978. It will go as the featured event in Race 10 of 11 with a post time of 3:53 p.m. Eastern. There will be a special first post of 11:30 a.m. for the holiday program.

Bonny South was a highly-touted 3-year-old filly last winter following her 2 ¼-length victory in the Fair Grounds Oaks. Following nearly four months on the sidelines, the daughter of Munnings returned in the $400,000 Ashland (G1) where she finished fourth behind Speech, Venetian Harbor and fellow Falls City rival Envoutante.

Following her race in the Ashland, Cox shipped Bonny South to Saratoga where she was the runner-up behind Swiss Skydiver in the $500,000 Alabama (G1). Bonny South will enter Thursday's Falls City following a narrow defeat in the Oct. 3, $250,000 Black Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico. This will mark her first race against elders.

Jockey Florent Geroux has the call on Bonny South who will break from post position No. 3.

Cox will attempt to win his second straight Falls City following Mylady Curlin's 2 ¼-length score in last year's event.

Chief among Bonny South's rivals in the Falls City is Walking L Thoroughbreds LLC and Three Chimneys Farm's $100,000 Remington Park Oaks (G3) winner Envoutante. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Envoutante has faced Bonny South twice in her eight-race career. Envoutante got the better of Bonny South by two lengths in the Ashland but was defeated by 7 ¼ lengths as the fourth-place finisher in the Alabama.

Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Envoutante in the Falls City from the rail.

Also entered in the field of fillies and mares is Farfellow Farm's multiple graded stakes placed Another Broad, who will make her first start under the care of Steve Asmussen; LBD Stable and David Ingordo's $125,000 Shuvee (G3) third-place finisher Our Super Freak; and G. Watts Humphrey Jr.'s graded stakes placed duo of Cash Out and High Regard, who are joined in the gate by his three-time winnerOver Thinking.

The complete field for the Falls City from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Envoutante (Hernandez, McPeek); Another Broad (Ricardo Santana Jr., Asmussen); Bonny South (Geroux, Cox); Smooth With a Kick (Tyler Gaffalione, Chad Brown); Our Super Freak (Gabriel Saez, Cherie DeVaux); Cash Out (Edgar Morales, Rusty Arnold II); High Regard (Corey Lanerie, Vicki Oliver); Over Thinking (Rafael Bejarano, Oliver); and Market Rumor (Chris Landeros, Ian Wilkes).

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McGaughey Hoping Code Of Honor Back On Schedule For Big Effort In Clark

W.S. Farish's two-time Grade 1 winner Code of Honor had to alter his schedule multiple times in 2020 but his Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey III hopes Friday's Grade 1, $500,000 Clark at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., gets the colt back to the winner's circle.

“He's just been a victim of circumstances with the COVID situation,” McGaughey said. “I would've liked him to run him in the Westchester (G3) which would've been the start of the Belmont Meet in the spring. I would've spaced the races out that way. That didn't' work out so we couldn't run until June 6 in the Westchester. He won that and I really had in my mind I wasn't going to run him back until the Whitney. He's run a lot better with his races spaced.”

Following Code of Honor's half-length victory in the $100,000 Westchester, McGaughey decided to run the colt one month later in the $500,000 Metropolitan Handicap (G1).

“He ran in the Derby and then didn't run again until Fourth of July weekend and then didn't run again until the Travers during the last part of Saratoga. The Metropolitan Mile is a prestigious race so we decided to run in that race. He was doing really good and he ran a really good race that day. I think if we may have missed that we could've made a better showing in the Whitney.”

Code of Honor finished fourth in the aforementioned Grade 1 Whitney behind the wire-to-wire winner Improbable. The 4-year-old Noble Mission (GB) colt will enter Friday's Clark off a runner-up effort behind Complexity in the $150,000 Kelso (G2).

Friday's Clark is the marquee race of the Churchill Downs Fall Meet. Entries for the 1 1/8-mile event will be taken Sunday. The field is also expected to include graded stakes winners By My Standards, Mr Freeze and Owendale.

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Santa Anita Releases Winter-Spring Stakes Schedule; Overnight Purses Increased 10%

Santa Anita Park will raise the daily overnight purse distribution 10% for the 2020-21 season which begins on Saturday, Dec. 26.  The increase will bring the average daily purse money available to horsemen to over $533,000, totaling more than $43-million for the season which runs through June 20, 2021.

Santa Anita's 84th season will be highlighted by a diverse stakes schedule offering over $15-million. The prestigious Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, which has produced 19 winners of the Kentucky Derby, including recent Breeders' Cup Classic hero Authentic, will be run on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

“Building Santa Anita's aggressive overnight purse schedule is a reflection of the confidence that we have in California racing even in the midst of a pandemic,” said Craig Fravel, CEO of 1/ST Racing.  “Nothing has been easy about this past year, so we are thankful to the horsemen who have continued to support our program on a daily basis.  We've missed the fans who have been absent from our track since March 12th, but we are grateful to be able to bring them the consistent top-quality racing that has been synonymous with Santa Anita since 1934.”

The racing program at Santa Anita has continued to evolve over the decades, and another innovation will be on display this winter.  The first major remodel of the Santa Anita turf course since the 1950s, a new turf chute will allow races up to 6 1/2 furlongs to be contested on the flat oval.  Installed and covered with sod in September, the course will be ready for use on Opening Day and greatly increases the turf distance options for horsemen.

Purses at Santa Anita, like all California racetracks, are derived from a percentage of the handle wagered on the track's races, as opposed to other jurisdictions where purses are supplemented with casino revenue and other forms of wagering.

The complete Santa Anita stakes schedule is as follows, pending approval by the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

2020 – 2021  Winter Spring Stakes Schedule
Run Date Race Age Distance 2020-21 Purse
Sat. Dec 26 Malibu Stakes  (Gr I) 3YO 7 F $300,000
Sat. Dec 26 La Brea Stakes  (Gr I) F,3YO 7 F $300,000
Sat. Dec 26 San Antonio Stakes  (Gr II) 3 &up 1 1/16 M $200,000
Sat. Dec 26 Mathis Brothers Mile  (Gr II) 3YO 1 M(T) $200,000
Sat. Dec 26 Lady of Shamrock Stakes F,3YO 1 M(T) $75,000
Sat. Dec 26 American Oaks  (Gr I) F,3YO 1 1/4 M (T) $300,000
Sun. Dec 27 Eddie Logan Stakes 2YO 1 M(T) $75,000
Sun. Dec 27 Robert J.  Frankel Stakes  (Gr III) F/M, 3&up 1 1/8 M (T) $100,000
Thurs. Dec 31 Blue Norther Stakes F,2YO 1 M(T) $75,000
Fri. Jan 1 Joe Hernandez Stakes (II) 4&up 6 1/2 F (T) $200,000
Sat. Jan 2 San Gabriel Stakes (Gr II) 4&up 1 1/8 M (T) $200,000
Sat. Jan 2 Sham Stakes  (Gr III) 3YO 1 M $100,000
Sun. Jan 3 Santa Ynez Stakes  (Gr II) F,3YO 7 F $200,000
Sat. Jan 9 La Canada Stakes  (Gr II) F/M,4&up 1 1/16 M $200,000
Sat. Jan 9 Las Cienegas Stakes  (Gr III) F/M,4&up 6 F (T) $100,000
Sun. Jan 10 Kalookan Queen Stakes F/M, 4&up 6 1/2 F $75,000
Sat. Jan 16 Unusual Heat Turf Classic 4&up (CA) 1 1/8 M (T) $200,000
Sat. Jan 16 Sunshine Millions F/M Turf Sprint F/M, 4 & up  (CA) 6 F (T) $150,000
Sat. Jan 16 California Cup Sprint 4&up (CA) 6 F $150,000
Sat. Jan 16 California Cup Derby 3 YO (CA) 1 1/16 M $200,000
Sat. Jan 16 California Cup Oaks F, 3YO  (CA) 1 M(T) $200,000
Sun. Jan 17 Astra Stakes (Gr III) F/M,4&up 1 1/2 M (T) $100,000
Mon. Jan 18 Megahertz Stakes  (Gr III) F/M,4&up 1 M(T) $100,000
Sat. Jan 23 Palos Verdes Stakes  (Gr II) 4&up 6 F $200,000
Sun. Jan 24 Clockers' Corner Stakes 4&up 6 F (T) $70,000
Sat. Jan 30 San Pasqual Stakes  (Gr II) 4&up 1 1/8 M $200,000
Sat. Jan 30 San Marcos Stakes  (Gr II) 4&up 1 1/4 (T) $200,000
Sat. Jan 30 Robert B. Lewis Stakes  (Gr III) 3YO 1 1/16 M $100,000
Sun. Jan 31 Baffle Stakes 3YO 6 1/2 F (T) $75,000
Sat. Feb 6 Las Virgenes Stakes  (Gr II) F,3YO 1 M $200,000
Sat. Feb 6 Thunder Road Stakes  (Gr III) 4&up 1 M(T) $100,000
Sat. Feb 6 San Vicente Stakes  (Gr II) 3YO 7 F $200,000
Sat. Feb 13 Santa Monica Stakes  (Gr II) F/M, 4 & up 7 F $200,000
Sun. Feb 14 Sweet Life Stakes (GIII) F,3YO 6 F (T) $100,000
Mon. Feb 15 Wishing Well F/M,4&up 6 1/2 F (T) $75,000
Sat. Feb 20 Buena Vista Stakes  (Gr II) F/M,4&up 1 M(T) $200,000
Sun. Feb 21 Spring Fever Stakes F/M, 4 & up (CA) 6 F $100,000
Sat. Feb 27 Pasadena Stakes (Listed) 3YO 1 M(T) $100,000
Sun. Feb 28 Tiznow Stakes 4&up (CA) 1 M $100,000
Sat. Mar 6 Santa Anita Handicap  (Gr I) 4&up 1 1/4 M $400,000
Sat. Mar 6 San Carlos  (Gr II) 4&up 7F $200,000
Sat. Mar 6 San Felipe Stakes  (Gr II) 3YO 1 1/16 M $300,000
Sat. Mar 6 Frank E. Kilroe Mile  (Gr I) 4&up 1 M(T) $400,000
Sat. Mar 6 China Doll Stakes F,3YO 1 M(T) $75,000
Sun. Mar 7 Santa Ysabel Stakes  (G III) F,3YO 1 1/16 M $100,000
Sat. Mar 13 Beholder Mile  (Gr I) F/M,4&up 1 M $300,000
Sat. Mar 13 San Simeon Stakes  (Gr III) 4&up 6 F (T) $100,000
Sun. Mar 14 Irish O'Brien Stakes F/M, 4&up 6 F (T) $100,000
Sat. Mar 20 San Luis Rey Stakes  (Gr III) 4&up 1 1/2 M (T) $100,000
Sun. Mar 21 Sensational Star Stakes 4&up (CA) 6 1/2  F (T) $100,000
Sat. Mar 27 Santa Ana Stakes  (Gr III) F/M4&up 1 1/4 M (T) $100,000
Sun. Mar 28 Santana Mile 4&up 1 M $75,000
 
Sat. Apr 3 Santa Anita Derby  (Gr I) 3YO 1 1/8 M $750,000
Sat. Apr 3 Santa Anita Oaks  (Gr II) F,  3YO 1 1/16 M $400,000
Sat. Apr 3 Echo Eddie Stakes 3 YO (CA) 6 1/2 F $150,000
Sat. Apr 3 Evening Jewel F, 3 YO (CA) 6 1/2 F $150,000
Sat. Apr 3 Royal Heroine Stakes (Gr II) F/M4&up 1 M(T) $200,000
Sat. Apr 3 Providencia Stakes (Gr III) F,3YO 1 1/8 M (T) $100,000
Sun. Apr 4 Las Flores Stakes  (Gr III) F/M,4&up 6 F $100,000
Sat. Apr 10 Mizdirection Stakes Listed) F/M 4&up 6 F (T) $75,000
Sat. Apr 17 Californian Stakes  (Gr II) 4&up 1 1/8 M $200,000
Sun. Apr 18 Tokyo City Cup  (Gr III) 4&up 11/2 M $100,000
Sun. Apr 18 Kona Gold Stakes  (Gr III) 4&up 6 1/2 F $100,000
Sat. Apr 24 Santa Margarita Stakes  (Gr II) F/M, 4&up 1 1/8 M $200,000
Sat. Apr 24 Crystal Water Stakes 3 &up  (CA) 1 M(T) $100,000
Sun. Apr 25 Singletary Stakes 3YO 1 M(T) $100,000
Sat. May 1 Senorita Stakes  (Gr III) F,3YO 1 M(T) $100,000
Sat. May 1 Angel's Flight Stakes F,3YO 7 F $75,000
Sat. May 8 Santa Barbara Stakes  (Gr III) F/M, 3 &up 1 1/2 M (T) $100,000
Sun. May 9 Fran's Valentine Stakes F/M, 3 & up (CA) 1 M(T) $100,000
Sat. May 15 Lazaro Barrera Stakes  (Gr III) 3YO 7 F $100,000
Sun. May 16 Desert Stormer Stakes  (Gr III) F/M, 3 &up 6 F $100,000
Sat. May 22 Santa Maria Stakes  (Gr II) F/M,3&up 1 1/16 M $200,000
Sat. May 22 Honeymoon Stakes  (Gr III) F3YO 1 1/8 M (T) $100,000
Sun. May 23 Cinema Stakes 3YO 1 1/8 M (T) $100,000
Sat. May 29 Triple Bend Stakes  (Gr II) 4&up 7 F $200,000
Sat. May 29 Charles Whittingham Stakes  (Gr II) 3&up 1 1/4 M (T) $200,000
Sat. May 29 Daytona Stakes  (Gr III) 4&up 6 1/2 F (T) $100,000
Sun. May 30 Summertime Oaks  (Gr II) F,3YO 1 1/16 M $200,000
Mon. May 31 The Hollywood Gold Cup at  Santa Anita  (Gr I) 3&up 1 1/4 M $300,000
Mon. May 31 Shoemaker Mile  (Gr I) 3&up 1 M(T) $300,000
Mon. May 31 Gamely Stakes  (Gr I) F/M, 3 &up 1 1/8 M (T) $300,000
Sat June 5 Monrovia Stakes  (Gr II) F/M, 3 &up 6 1/2 F (T) $200,000
SUN. Jun 6 Desert Code Stakes 3YO 6 F (T) $75,000
Sat. Jun 12 Thor's Echo Stakes 3 &up  (CA) 6 F $100,000
Sun. Jun 13 Affirmed Stakes  (Gr III) 3YO 1 1/16 M $100,000
Sun. Jun 13 Possibly Perfect Stakes (Listed) F/M, 3 &up 1 1/4 M(T) $75,000
Sat. Jun 19 Snow Chief Stakes 3 YO (CA) 1 1/8 M (T) $150,000
Sat. Jun 19 Melair Stakes F, 3 YO (CA) 1 1/16 M $150,000
Sat. Jun 19 San Juan Capistrano Stakes  (Gr III) 3&up abt 1 3/4 M(T) $100,000
Sat. Jun 19 Siren Lure Stakes 3&up 6 1/2 F (T) $75,000
Sun. Jun 20 Wilshire Stakes  (Gr. III) F/M, 3 &up 1 M(T) $100,000
Sun. Jun 20 American (Gr III) 3&up 1 M(T) $100,000
Sun Jun 20 Fasig-Tipton Futurity 2YO 5  F $75,000
Sun Jun 20 Fasig-Tipton Debutante F 2YO 5 F $75,000

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Red River Rebel Breaks Maiden In Frost King Stakes At Woodbine

Two-year-old Red River Rebel defied his odds in the featured $100,000 Frost King Stakes, scoring a maiden-breaking victory on Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada.

Steve Bahen worked out the winning trip aboard the homebred Reload gelding in the 6 1/2-furlong Ontario Sired Stakes event, which was rescheduled after Sunday's Thoroughbred racing program was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.

Red River Rebel tracked a trio of early leavers in fourth-place while Forest Survivor established the lead through a :22.76 quarter-mile and was pressed by All Canadian into the turn. Red River Rebel chased along the rail into the stretch and took the inside path to victory, surging by despite Forest Survivor drifting in down the lane.

Making just his second career start, Red River Rebel was victorious in 1:16.05 for trainer Rachel Halden and owners Denny Andrews and Northern Dawn Stables. Forest Survivor finished 2 1/2 lengths behind in second, with Candy Overload overtaking All Canadian, who edged out Bull Page Stakes winner Avoman in a photo finish for fourth-place. The popular Simcoe Stakes champion, Dragon's Brew, finished sixth, followed by Souper Classy, De Only Solution and Blind Trust.

Sent postward at odds of 6-1 after finishing third in his October 23 debut, Red River Rebel returned $14.90 to win.

“He ran real good his first start, but he did get a little tired,” said Bahen. “He came back and he trained real good. I've been galloping him and he's been training really well so I knew he was good today.

“I think he can be any kind of horse; he's just learning now,” added the veteran reinsman. “He was kind of a little silly guy and he's learned a lot since we've had him and he's doing well. He's moving forwardly and hopefully he gets even better.”

In other Friday night action, favorite The Boss Factor ($5.70) was no match for his grey rivals, winning the 2020 edition of the $50,000 Grey Handicap in rein to Patrick Husbands, and giving trainer Martin Drexler back-to-back victories in the event.

Owned by Bruno Schickedanz, the four-year-old gelded son of The Factor opened up an insurmountable 10-length lead down the backstretch in the 1 1/16-mile main track race and cruised home to score in 1:44.26. His leading margin diminished to one length near the wire with Coleyville closing from the backfield in second. Suitedconnected checked in third, another 3-1/4 lengths behind.

The Grey Handicap is for registered grey and roan horses, 3-year-olds and up, that have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2019-20.

Live Thoroughbred racing continues at Woodbine Racetrack with a super Saturday stakes program, featuring the $175,000 Kennedy Road Stakes (Grade 2), $175,000 Bessarabian Stakes (Grade 2), $125,000 Ontario Derby (Grade 3) and $150,000 Ontario Damsel Stakes. All the action begins at 1:25 p.m.

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