Big Day for Allamerican Bertie

Controlling the pace under jockey Pat Day, Allamerican Bertie earned the biggest win of her career in the $270,000 Falls City Handicap on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Winning for the third time in four starts at the Louisville track, the 3-year-old Quiet American filly set slow fractions (24, 48 3/5, 1:12 3/5) en route to a 1 1/4 length victory over 4-5 favorite Take Charge Lady.

Owned by Bert, Elaine and Richard Klein and trained by Steve Flint, Allamerican Bertie, the 5-2 second choice in the field of six, won for the sixth time in 11 starts and completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 3/5.

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No better than fifth in her first three starts in the United States, Viernes woke up in a big way in Thursday’s $72,900 Waya Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza for owner California Racing Stable and trainer Paulo Lobo, the 5-year-old Brazilian bred mare closed strong in the final furlong to win by four lengths at nearly 25-1.

Second in her only previous appearance at 1 1/2 miles, the daughter of Roy completed the 12 furlongs on turf in 2:26 1/5. Snowflake, the 3-1 third choice, was second, a head in front of 5-2 favorite Julie Jalouse.

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True Direction ($10) edged 5-2 favorite Crossing Point to win the $111,600 Fall Highweight Handicap on Thursday at Aqueduct.

This was the fifth victory in eight starts for the 3-year-old French Deputy colt, who is owned by Moreton and Marisol Binn and trained by Carlos Morales. Javier Castellano was the winning rider.