LOUISVILLE, KY – Darrell and Sadie Brommer’s homebred Prado’s Sweet Ride returned to the site of her first career graded score over three years ago to get her second, and did so powerfully, in Thursday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Breaking from post 6 under Florent Geroux at 6-1 odds, Prado’s Sweet Ride fought for the lead while Mannerly kept close through opening fractions of :23.93, :48.60, and 1:13.17. Angling off the rail as she exited the far turn, Prado’s Sweet Ride began to draw away convincingly in the stretch before Geroux geared her down late. The Chris Block trainee’s win came in a final time of 1:50.50 for the 9-furlong main track event.
“I really didn’t expect to be on the lead, but I thought we would be close to the pace,” Geroux said. “Things worked out well. We had a perfect pace up front when (Divine Miss Grey) didn’t break that sharply. She dug in well down the lane and was very impressive this afternoon.”
Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Divine Miss Grey was within range through the far turn but was no match for the winner and had to settle for second, finishing a length ahead of a gaining Dutch Parrot. Fourth went to Red Dane ahead of Dreamcall and Skeptic, while Mannerly gave up the ghost after 6 furlongs and was eased in the stretch to complete the order of finish. Honor Ride was scratched.
Prado’s Sweet Ride’s win was her first since November 4, 2017, and improved her overall record to 30-8-5-7. The 6-year-old daughter of Fort Prado has now earned $548,914 in her career.
“This has been a very good Thanksgiving for us thanks to this filly,” said Block’s assistant trainer Martin Martinez. “She ran so big this afternoon and trained so well all season. She really handled the dirt well this afternoon and she has in the past. She’s been very versatile and was very impressive today.”
Prado’s Sweet Ride returned $13.80 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3.60 to show. Divine Miss Grey brought back $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show, while Dutch Parrot paid $4 to show.
