Rigney Racing play hard Take the lead, decide the pace, and flip the challenges at the top of the ramp from Bellamore and moon for a late draw and win the 107th episode of the $485,000 Falls City Stakes (G3) tournament on Thursday, the traditional Thanksgiving Day match for the favorites and mares at Churchill Downs.
Coached by Phil Bauer and ridden by Joel Rosario, Played Hard ran 1 1/8 mile on the fast track at 1:49.39 while beating Bellamore by a string style.
Breaking out of hand four in the field of six fillings and mares, Play Hard maintained a length advantage over Band leader down the backseat while setting quarter-mile intervals of :23.71, :47.43 and 1:11.43. The leader of the Band gave way as Bellamore, from the outside, and Moon Swag, from the inside, entered the dispute. Play hard has cut the last round and there’s a lot left in the long run like the favorites being 2-5.
She is all Wolfe finished late to finish third, five miles behind second-place Bellamore.
“She’s getting better and better,” Rosario said. “She fought hard for the lead and didn’t want to give it up. There were a few horses that came close to her, but she never gave way.”
This marks Played Hard’s second-ranked bet win in her last three starts, both of which came at Churchill Downs. In September, she scored a comfortable 5 3/4 win in the $393,000 Locust Grove Stakes (G3) game for her first graded bet win.
“I’m really speechless,” Bauer said. “Here’s what it’s all about. You win a half-million dollar race on the home track with your family and the greatest owner (Richard Rigney) in attendance. It couldn’t be great. better on Thanksgiving. I’m so proud of Played Hard. She covers her ears and doesn’t want to let anyone pass.”
Before Thursday’s Falls City, Played Hard finished third after eventual winner Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Malathaat and army wife in Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (GI) at Keeneland October 9th.
“Last time things didn’t go well at Spinster, but we brought her back to Churchill and she loves it here,” Bauer said. “We’re excited to continue her training next year.”
Play hard paid $2.90 to win.
She’s All Wolfe closed late to take third place behind the winner and runner-up. Moon Swag, Team Leader and Ava’s grace complete end order.
With a win in Falls City, Played Hard improved her overall record to 5 wins, 5 seconds and 2/3 after 14 starts. Thursday’s $305,520 first prize lifted her earnings to near-millionaire at $978,390.
Bauer said the goal of Play Hard in 2023 is to get 1 point.
Bred in Kentucky by Susan Casner, she is the 4-year-old daughter of into naughty get out Tiznow mare good life sibling of the winner of the Dubai World Championship Sponsored by Emirates Airlines (G1) well armed . The dam has two ponies to race from four ponies, with Played Hard being her sole winner. Her youngest pony is a 2 year old candy ride pony named Best regards .
Played Hard was a $280,000 purchase from the September 2019 Annual Sale in Keeneland by her owner from the Four Star Sales consignment.
Video: City of Falls S. (G3)
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
