Played Hard Scores Again at Churchill in Falls City
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Photo: Coady Photography
Played Hard wins the Falls City Stakes at Churchill Downs
Rigney Racing's Played Hard broke on top, dictated the pace, and turned back challenges at the top of the stretch from Bellamore and Moon Swag to draw clear late and win Thursday's 107th running of the $485,000 Falls City Stakes (G3), the traditional Thanksgiving Day fixture for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Phil Bauer and ridden by Joel Rosario, Played Hard ran 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:49.39 while defeating Bellamore by one length in wire-to-wire fashion.
Breaking from post four in the field of six fillies and mares, Played Hard maintained a length advantage over Leader of the Band down the backstretch while setting quarter-mile splits of :23.71, :47.43 and 1:11.43. Leader of the Band gave way leaving the turn as Bellamore, from the outside, and Moon Swag, from the inside, ranged into contention. Played Hard cut the final turn wide and had plenty left down the stretch as the odds-on 2-5 favorite.
She's All Wolfe closed late to be third, five lengths behind runner-up Bellamore.
"She keeps getting better," Rosario said. "She fought hard on the lead and didn't want to give it up. There were a couple horses that got close to her, but she never gave way."
This marked Played Hard's second graded stakes win in her last three starts, both coming at Churchill Downs. In September, she scored a comfortable 5 3/4-length win in the $393,000 Locust Grove Stakes (G3) for her first graded stakes triumph.
"I'm actually pretty speechless right now," Bauer said. "This is what it's all about. You win a half-million-dollar race on your home track with your family and the greatest owner (Richard Rigney) in attendance. It can't get much better on Thanksgiving. I'm so proud of Played Hard. She pinned her ears back and didn't want to let anyone by."
Prior to Thursday's Falls City, Played Hard finished third behind eventual Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Malathaat and Army Wife in the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (GI) at Keeneland Oct. 9.
"Things didn't work out last time in the Spinster, but we got her back to Churchill and she loves it here," Bauer said. "We're excited to keep her in training next year."
Played Hard paid $2.90 to win.
She's All Wolfe closed late to grab third behind the winner and runner-up. Moon Swag, Leader of the Band and Ava's Grace completed the order of finish.
With the Falls City win, Played Hard improved her overall record to five wins, five seconds, and two thirds in 14 starts. Thursday's lofty $305,520 first prize boosted her earnings to near-millionaire status at $978,390.
Bauer said the goal for Played Hard in 2023 is to win a grade 1.
Bred in Kentucky by Susan Casner, she s a 4-year-old bay daughter of Into Mischief out of the Tiznow mare Well Lived , a full sister to Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) winner Well Armed . The dam has two foals to race from four foals, with Played Hard being her sole winner. Her youngest foal is an unraced 2-year-old Candy Ride colt named Highest Regards .
Played Hard was a $280,000 purchase from the 2019 September Yearling Sale at Keeneland by her owner from the Four Star Sales consignment.