Falls City Handicap (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
CD- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
November 26, 2020

Since winning an ungraded stake in March, Grand Cyclone has never run a bad race, but has not picked up another win. In that period of time, she was always finishing within a length, and was productive in picking up a piece of the purse for trainer Maxmillion Farm. Now, on Thanksgiving Day, she is finally able to return to the winners circle! She earns the first win in the Falls City Handicap for both Maxmillion, and the jockey, Mar Garcia. The race was run in 1:48.15, the third fastest in the history of the race, and the quickest since 2011. Let’s take a quick look.

1st- 1- Grand Cyclone (Maxmillion Farm) (20/1)- Started well, hung tough on the rail early, and was a half a length behind the leader into the backstretch. Ran even with Scarlet And Gray during that portion of the race, but poked a head in front as the run around the turn began. Pulled away from that pace setter in the turn, and she hit the top of the stretch, she pulled out to a length advantage. She looked good at this point, but Coconut Princess was a game rival, and began to cut into her lead about midway into the stretch. Grand Cyclone was not going to be a close second this time, digging in when she needed too, and would hold on for the victory!

2nd- 5- Coconut Princess (Rampage Stable) (8/1)- Quick of the gate, opted to stalk once Scarlet and Gray moved to the front. Continued to stalk the top two through the backstretch while a couple times looking like she wanted to make a move without doing so. Inherited second at the top of the stretch, but still had a length to make up on Grand Cyclone. Gave it her best shot in the stretch, and made it interesting at the wire. Hard fought second.

3rd- 2- Broadway Stripes (Glorify Stables) (4/1)- In the middle of the field, four and a half lengths from the lead early. Held that position without advancing in the backstretch as well as the turn, and still had the same 4 ½ lengths to make up at the top of the stretch. Never made a run, and her third place showing is merely a best of the rest performance.

4th- 3- True Talent (Serenity Stables) (99+/1)- Ran right beside Broadway Stripes in the opening portion of the race, running to her outside. Content to stay in that position for the entire first half of the race, while in the backstretch and the turn. Looked to make an outside run, but only slightly advanced to get a piece of the purse.

5th- 8- Scarlet And Gray (Nakamura Stables (6/1)- Midpack out of the gate, but advanced to the lead by the opening turn. Stayed at the front in the backstretch, and hung with Grand Cyclone briefly in the turn before drifting and backing out of it.

6th- 6- Laffy Crack (Night Rider Stables) (3/2)- Started at the back, all by herself, seven lengths from the front after half a mile. Remained at the back, and without making a move on the next closest horses until it was way too late. Certainly did not justify being the post time favorite.

7th- 7- Speedy Ginger (The Sidley Stud) (3/1)- Quickest of the gate, but soon retreated to a stalking position. Ran alongside Coconut Princess most of the way, but when they reached the top of the stretch, she would not have anything left, and would back out of it.

8th- 4- Ghost In The Shell (John Henry) (35/1)- Ran in the middle of the field early, having a slight edge over the second group of four horses. Maintained that position for the first half, and lacked response.

About The Winner– Grand Cyclone, trained by Maxmillion Farm and ridden to victory by Mar Garcia, is a four year old filly by Grande Sournoise, and is out of Cyclonic. She was bred in California by Drabfantasy as a second quarter two year old, and was acquired by Maxmillion for $20.000 in a January 2020 private sale. The win is her fourth in 11 starts, her second stake win and first graded win. Her career earnings are now $348.440.

Track: Fast
Time: :48¹  1:11⁴  1:35³  1:48

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 232.20
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 2 Paid 802.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES