Defection of Noble Commander from Santa Anita Handicap a break for Prime Attraction

ARCADIA, Calif. – The defection of Noble Commander from the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, to be run Saturday, softens the pace scenario and could put comebacker Prime Attraction loose on the lead in the 1 1/4-mile race.

Noble Commander would have run in the Big Cap when it was originally scheduled on March 9, but after racing was suspended and the Big Cap postponed to April 6, trainer Phil D’Amato shipped him to Keeneland. Noble Commander is nominated to the Grade 3, $200,000 Ben Ali at 1 1/8 miles there on April 13.

“It’s more because of the distance,” D’Amato explained regarding the change in plans.

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He said owner Agave Racing Stable preferred Noble Commander did not make his first start at 1 1/4 miles “against those horses,” referring to Big Cap favorites McKinzie and Gift Box.

The defection of Noble Commander benefits front-runner Prime Attraction, a Grade 3 winner who will be making his first start since November.

The likely Big Cap field, with weight assignments, includes McKinzie (123), Gift Box (122), Prime Attraction (116), Campaign (115), Sonneteer (115), Mongolian Groom (114), and Prince of Arabia (114).