Falconet Scores Third Stakes Win of Year

It was a third stakes victory of the year for Falconet (4f Uncle Mo x Birdatthewire, by Summer Bird) on Sunday when the filly won the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park.

Racing over a mile on the dirt, Falconet quickly took up a spot on the rail just behind the top two runners in the tightly packed field. Jockey Gerardo Corrales eased her back down the backstretch to move her out a few paths to set her up for success going into the final three-eighths.

That move worked well for Falconet, who was able to slide through a hole at the top of the stretch and make a serious bid for the lead. Hidden Connection also went for the lead at the same time, but Falconet was able to grab the advantage in the last sixteenth of a mile to score her fifth career win.

Bred by co-owner WinStar Farm, the Todd Pletcher-trained Falconet was purchased by co-owner China Horse Club for $250,000 from Machmer Hall Sales at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. This victory shoots her above $400,000 in earnings with four stakes wins to her name.

Falconet is the first foal to race out of Grade I winner Birdatthewire, who is also a half-sister to the dam of the stakes winning Miss Conveyance.

Uncle Mo’s 11 stakes winners in 2023 is third best among all North American stallions with his 22 stakes performers this year also including two Grade I winners and four Grade I performers.