Alpine Princess decisively outpaced the 27-1 longshot Corning Stone, winning by two lengths on Thursday in the 110th edition of the $385,000 Falls City (G3) held at Churchill Downs on Thanksgiving. Trained by Brad Cox and guided by top jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Alpine Princess completed the 1 1/8 mile race on a fast track in 1:50.46, securing her first graded stakes victory and fourth win overall. Her previous successes include wins in the Untapable as a 2-year-old, the Remington Park Oaks as a 3-year-old, and the Marie Hulman George Memorial Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis earlier this year, all of which were non-graded stakes.
Coach Brad Cox expressed pride in her graded stakes win, noting its significance for the owners and the timing on Thanksgiving. In a field of eight, Alpine Princess initially took the lead from the fourth post with a modest first quarter time of 24.41 seconds, before Corning Stone briefly surged ahead in the backstretch. As they rounded the final turn, Alpine Princess moved outside for a strong finish, engaging in a head-to-head duel with Corning Stone and ultimately pulling ahead in the final furlong for the win.
Jockey Ortiz Jr. commented on her strong start and ability to challenge Corning Stone effectively down the stretch. Alpine Princess, a Classic Empire daughter, paid $6.82 to win as the 2-1 second favorite. Indiana-bred Corning Stone finished second, ahead of millionaire Raging Sea who took third. The rest of the field included notable horses such as Liga Red, Royal Spa, Neon Icon, Just My Heels, Quiet Side, and Stand Out Sensation, with the last two sustaining injuries.
This victory brings Alpine Princess’s record for owners Full of Run Racing II LLC and Madaket Stables LLC to six wins in 17 races, with career earnings now totaling $949,065 following the $240,455 first-place prize. Owner Dan Glick highlighted the importance of this major stakes win and praised the team, expressing optimism for her impact in the filly division as a five-year-old. Bred in Kentucky by Betts/DJ Stables/Peter V. Lamantia/Classic Empire Syndicate, she is out of the mare Lemoine.
Fan Take: Alpine Princess’s breakthrough graded stakes win is a thrilling moment for horse racing enthusiasts, showcasing the rise of a dedicated competitor and the continued excitement of the sport’s Thanksgiving tradition at Churchill Downs. Her ascent signals fresh talent that could shape the future landscape of the filly division, promising compelling races ahead.
