Live racing at Churchill Downs in Louisville closes on Thanksgiving weekend. On Thanksgiving Day, a field of 11 older fillies and mares went 1 1/8 miles on the main track in the $150,000 Falls City Handicap (G2). Turnback The Alarm runner-up Spring Waltz was the 2-1 choice over Indiana Oaks winner Skylighter at 7-2 and Remington Green Stakes 4th place finisher Brownie Points at 9-2.
Brownie Points led the field for the first 2 furlongs in 23.77 before Swift Temper and Devil House moved up to the front to lead down the backstretch, battling through a half in 47.89 and 3/4 in 1:12.39. Devil House tired badly and dropped out of contention with 3 furlongs remaining, but 15-1 Miss Isella and jockey Calvin Borel, who raced back in 7th early, found room down on the rail to pass tiring horses. Miss Isella took over the lead inside the 3/16 pole opening up a 1 1/2 length advantage after a mile in 1:37.73. Skylighter put in a rally from fourth but was no match for Miss Isella, who cruised under the line 1 length clear in 1:50.78 over the fast track. It was another length back to late-running 31-1 Tell It As It Is third. Favorite Spring Waltz raced in ninth early, came out 5 wide into the stretch but could not rally, finishing sixth.
Results chart
