Aqueduct: Noble Moon fires fresh in Jerome

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Noble Moon turned into the Aqueduct stretch with a narrow lead over Classic Giacnroll in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Jerome and it was fair to wonder whether the 4-5 favorite would be impacted by having not raced in 62 days.

“That’s what those mile works are for,” said Leah Gyarmati, before adding with a smile “No, I wasn’t worried for a second.”

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Despite a persistent Classic Giacnroll, Noble Moon was indeed fit enough and classy enough to turn back that rival and edge away for a two-length victory in the Jerome to put himself on the Triple Crown trail. Noble Moon, a son of Malibu Moon - sire of last year’s Derby winner Orb - owned by Jeff Treadway, earned 10 qualifying points toward the May 3 Kentucky Derby. Classic Giacnroll, who finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of the maiden Scotland, earned 4 points while Scotland (2) and fourth-place finisher Matuszak (1) also earned qualifying points.

Lawmaker finished fifth, a nose behind Matuszak, and was followed by Mental Iceberg, Master Lightning, and Pin and Win.

Noble Moon, who has now won 2 of 3 career starts, hadn’t run since finishing third to Cairo Prince in the Grade 2 Nashua on Nov. 3. He was forced to scratch from the Grade 2 Remsen on Nov. 30 after the horse had to be treated for hives which developed the night before the race.

Noble Moon had won his debut on the lead and then came from last in the Nashua after being hammered at the break.

Saturday, under Irad Ortiz Jr., Noble Moon lay second early before taking the lead with five furlongs remaining. Thought Noble Moon took the lead under comfortable fractions, he had Master Lightning within a half-length of him and Classic Giacnroll ranging three wide.

“I was hoping maybe if he did make the lead we’d be there by ourselves and not have horses right on top of us,” Gyarmati said.

Noble Moon ran a half-mile in 48.34 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.50. Ortiz said Noble Moon was quite responsive to the pressure being applied from Classic Giacnroll in the stretch. He pulled away from Classic Giacnroll - who did not change leads down the lane - to win by two while covering a mile and 70 yards in 1:45.08. He returned $3.60 as the 4-5 favorite.

“He got the lead and then he felt the other horse on the outside. He just picked it up. He just pulled me. He wanted to go,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz was replacing Alex Solis, who had ridden Noble Moon in his first two starts. Solis was on Classic Giacnroll and said that colt’s failure to change leads in the stretch “cost him a little bit. He got a little tired.”

Gyarmati and Treadway said Noble Moon would likely skip the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers here on Feb. 1 and point for the Grade 3, $500,000 Gotham on March 1. Those same connections have the maiden winner Street Gent to run in the Withers.

Meanwhile, Classic Giacnroll, who has been based at Aqueduct since mid-December, will stay remain in New York and point for the Withers.

“He came back blowing pretty hard. The track was very heavy today,” said Juan Carlos Guerrero, the assistant trainer to his wife Lisa. “I wish he would have changed leads. He was giving you everything but he just couldn’t get there. I’m going to give him another chance. I think he deserves it.”

Others pointing to the Withers, run at 1 1/16 miles, are New York-breds Samraat and Uncle Sigh.