Headline News

Indian Vale Romps in the Falls City
by Angela Stange

Indian Vale cruised home on Thanksgiving Day to a six and a half length win over Pampered Princess in the Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs. The three year old daughter of A.P. Indy won her fifth race in just six starts. The bettors sent the Pletcher-trained Indian Vale off as the 2-1 favorite. Pampered Princess, the second choice of the field was a clear cut second over Bill Mott-trained Miss Fortunate, who finished another two and three quarter lengths back in third.

Indian Vale paid $6.00, $4.00, and $2.80. Pampered Princess paid $4.00, and $3.00 for the place, while Miss Fortunate paid $3.60 for the show. The $2 exacta paid $25.80 and the trifecta paid $181.80, with 9-1 Miss Fortunate rounding out the top three finishers.

Catcominatcha Rises To Beat High Cotton
by Jamie Hamilton

At the top of the stretch, the Javier Castellano-ridden High Cotton looked like he would be unanswered with the lead in the Iroquois on Saturday (Nov. 5th) at Churchill Downs. However, this is precisely the moment when Catcominatcha made his move, beneath Rafael Bejerano.

The runner up in the Lane’s End Breeders' Cup Futurity on October 8th at Keeneland, Catcominatcha split the pack and charged up on High Cotton - who just wouldn’t quit - catching him at the 16th pole. Catcominatcha got him for a head in front, then a neck, but High Cotton took on the challenge, driving harder when asked and sticking along side the leader.

At the finish line, Catcominatcha won the Kentucky Derby prep by a neck. The 1-mile, Grade 3 race gave a peaking glimpse into the upcoming Derby field, with 13 competitive two-year-olds entered to win $100,000. One to look out for may be the 72-1 long shot, Mondavi (Mike Smith), who came in 3rd. 4th was Mr. Pinstripe (Brice Blanc), and Flanders Fields came in a disappointing 5th with Bailey aboard.

French Park Wins
by Jamie Hamilton

A 95 Beyer Speed Figure last out could have been the first indication to handicappers that French Park was not to be played against in the Nov. 5th juvenile filly race, the Pocahotas, even at 2-1. The second would have been the way with which she won that maiden victory at Keeneland on October 20. What may have confused doubters, though, was that that race was 6 1/2 furlongs.

As it turned out, the mile long Pocahontas was a likewise good fit for this upcoming, 2-year-old filly. French Park (Guidry) garnered the $100,000 purse, her second race and second win, with a 1-1/2 length win over Trippi Street (Albarado).

But perhaps it should have been over Dance Daily, who held the second place position going into the stretch, but lost steam to come in 5th. 5th place, on the other hand, is where Trippi Street met the stretch run, upping the ante to move through 5 or 6 horses to gain a clear 2nd. Coolwind came in 3rd, beating out Lady Danza (went off at 68-1) by a head.