Delta: Noel packed with quality

Some might perceive a stakes restricted to horses who have never won a stakes as lacking in quality, but that is not the case in the $40,000 Noel, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up Friday night at Delta Downs.

A number of promising horses have been entered in the race, including Price of Honour, third last out in the $60,000 Thanksgiving Handicap at Fair Grounds; America's Storm, a $3.6 million yearling purchase who has placed in stakes in his last two starts; and Taxicat, who in his last out earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure.

Adding depth to the field is L.A. Spider Legs, who has placed in five stakes; Boston Fox, who won a $62,500 optional claimer at Calder in his last start; and Ghannam, who has won 3 of his last 4, including an optional claimer at Fair Grounds.

Price of Honour has the kind of speed to make good use of his rail post. He was prominent throughout in the Thanksgiving last out. Trainer Tom Amoss has given the mount to Guy Smith.