How to bet the 2023 Falls City Stakes

A total of nine fillies and mares will race over nine panels on the Churchill Downs main surface in Thursday’s $400,000 Falls City S. (G3). One of two affairs on the Thanksgiving Day card, the race is led by the streaking #8 Xigera (3-5), who was last seen dominating the Mother Goose S. (G2) at Aqueduct for conditioner Philip Bauer. 

Falls City Wagers

$25 exacta 8 with 4 ($25)
$10 trifecta 8 with 4 with 6,9 ($20)
$2 superfecta key 8 with 4,6,9 ($12) 

The sophomore daughter of Nyquist had been racing mostly on the lawn until recently, and she handled the move to the main course with aplomb two back when blitzing her foes beneath the Twin Spires. The Kentucky-bred three-year-old has posted triple-digit Brisnet Speed ratings in two straight, she is proven on the strip, and the miss possesses the early speed to be involved in the contest from the opening bell, as well. Regular pilot Julien Leparoux will be in the silks atop the imposing morning-line choice. 

#4 Misty Veil (12-1), one of two in the cast for trainer Mike Maker, has been third in a pair of tough spots in succession, including the Locust Grove S. (G3) on the surface in September. By Tonalist, the five-year-old has won or placed in seven of her nine career tries at Churchill Downs, and the chestnut lands in a field lacking depth as a surefire top-three presence with something resembling her best showing. The mare has a measure of early foot and will always be in range in a field lacking pace with Martin Chuan in the silks. 

I think that the third spot will come down to a pair of runners, including 2022 runner-up #9 Bellamore (8-1). The Empire Maker five-year-old ran a winning race in defeat in this event last campaign and faces arguably a softer cast this year while making her third run off the shelf. Martin Garcia will be in the irons. 

And #6 Distinctlypossible (12-1) is inconsistent but capable on her best day for conditioner Chad Brown. The Curlin four-year-old has gone unplaced in her last two efforts leading up to this one, but she will move forward second time out since July and has value with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons. The bay will track the pace from midpack to the turn for home.