LEXINGTON, KY – e Five Racing Thoroughbreds’ turf rocket Rushing Fall returned from a five-month layoff fresh and fierce, running fluidly down the stretch to confidently win Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association.
Breaking sharply from post 2 under Javier Castellano as the heavy 1-2 favorite, Rushing Fall settled in fourth early while Lounge Act led through slow splits of :24.67 and :49.91. Making her bid through the far turn, Rushing Fall hit the top of the stretch in full stride and repelled an outside bid from Daddy Is a Legend midway to the wire, crossing first by a length while never asked for her best in a final time of 1:38.66 for the mile-long event over a yielding turf course.
“She was very comfortable rating,” Castellano said. “I know the pace was slow today. I didn’t expect her to be too close to the pace, but the way the race unfolded, I took it from there. She was much the best. She’s one of the best fillies I’ve ridden in my career. Thankful to be part of the team.”
Thewayiam came flying late after being squeezed at the start to take second, while Goodthingstaketime necked out a flattened Daddy Is a Legend for third. Beach Waltz necked out fifth over Heavenly Love, with She’s Pretty Lucky, Lounge Act, and Dixie Moon completing the order of finish. Cash Out and Ultima D were scratched.
Rushing Fall’s victory came in her first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall. The Chad Brown-trained daughter of More Than Ready remains perfect in four career starts with career earnings of $805,000.
“Just going to enjoy this, and plan (her next start) from here,” Brown said. “We just wanted to get her season started and see where we’re at. I’m very pleased with the result. There are several options we’re thinking about, and over the next month, we’ll figure out our next move.”
Rushing Fall returned $3 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show. Thewayiam brought back $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show, while Goodthingstaketime paid $3.40 to show.
