Falls City (G2)

Seven fillies and mares will line up for Thursday’s Falls City
H. (G2) at Churchill Downs and without 2002 Horse of the Year
Azeri (Jade Hunter), the nine-furlong contest promises to be wide
open.

HALORY LEIGH (Halory Hunter), who comes into this off two
daylight victories, appears to be the one to beat. Trainer Dale
Romans returned the chestnut to the dirt two back and she
responded, winning an allowance at Keeneland by four lengths, and
then romping by five lengths over a field that included multiple
Grade 1 winner Lady Tak (Mutakddim) and fellow Falls City entrant
SUSAN’S ANGEL (Cape Town) in the Churchill Downs Distaff H. (G2).
She is in great form and rates our top selection.

The aforementioned Susan’s Angel represents the D. Wayne Lukas
barn in the absence of Azeri, and almost fills her shoes. The
sophomore ran third last out to Halory Leigh, but was hung four
wide around the turn for home after previously taking the Turfway
Breeders’ Cup H. (G3). She’ll have the services of Pat Day, so
watch out for the youngster of the field.

MAYO ON THE SIDE (French Deputy) owns three wins over this
track, including a victory over Azeri in this year’s Humana
Distaff H. (G1) on Kentucky Derby (G1). This distance may be a
factor, as that contest was run at seven furlongs and the five-year-old
has been more successful sprinting. We’ll still use her in the
gimmicks.

The Thomas Proctor-trained INDY GROOVE (A.P. Indy) went for it
all last out in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), finishing sixth
after being steadied near the quarter-pole. The chestnut has the
ability to win and gets a rider change to Brice Blanc. A good one
to use on the bottom of the exotics.

FLOWER FOREST (Kris S.) enters off two wins in a row,
including a 3 3/4-length victory in the Justakiss S. at Delaware
Park in her last start. She steps up to graded competition for
the first time and may surprise. Bill Mott sends out MISS
FORTUNATE (Deputy Minister) after a disappointing effort in the
Churchill Downs Distaff. Prior to that one, she ran fourth in the
Turfway Breeders’ to two of her rivals here. We can’t recommend.
RED CELL (Geri) steps up from allowance company and appears
outclassed.