Spain Pointed to Bayakoa; No Distaff 1-2 Rematch in Falls City

A possible showdown between the two most recent Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) winners will not take place in the $250,000 Falls City Handicap (gr. III) on Thanksgiving at Churchill Downs as 2000 winner Spain will be pointed toward the $150,000 Bayakoa (gr. II) on Dec. 15 at Hollywood Park. Unbridled Elaine, who earned a head-length victory over Spain in this year's Distaff, is considered to have a "50-50" chance to run in the Falls City.

"I wanted to run her (in the Falls City) -- that was my choice," said Spain's trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. "But she got beat there last year and they (owners the Thoroughbred Corp.) thought it might be running her back a little quick."

The Falls City would be the fourth start in just over nine weeks for the 4-year-old daughter of Thunder Gulch. On Sept. 22 she finished third in a grade III stakes at Turfway, then was wheeled back two weeks later in the Beldame (gr. I), before the Distaff three weeks later.