El Noble gets class relief in allowance route

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – El Noble improved dramatically when he won a $50,000 maiden optional-claiming race in his first route attempt on July 27, and he continued his progress when he was the runner-up in the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial on Aug. 6. Proving his runner-up finish was no fluke, he ran a huge race when fourth in the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 8.

El Noble will appreciate the class relief when he runs in an allowance race for 3-year-old non-winners of three at Hastings on Sunday. The 1 1/16-mile race headlines a seven-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Not Yet, one of the nine horses entered, is slated to run in the $100,000 Getaway Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday. Unless trainer Rob Gilker changes his mind, only eight will start in the Hastings feature.

Trained by Milton Palma, El Noble earned a career-best 77 Beyer Speed Figure for the B.C. Derby, and with just eight starts, he may not have reached his peak. If that is the case, he will be a handful Sunday.

The Kentucky-bred gelding will break from post 7, with Enrique Gonzalez retaining the mount. He has tactical speed and figures to get a nice trip stalking what likely will be a fast and contested pace.

KEY CONTENDERS

El Noble, by Istan
Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-69

◗ As evidenced by his rising Beyers, he is heading in a positive direction, and he packs a lot less weight than the 126 pounds he carried in the derby.

Brave Nation, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 72-62-60

◗ The John Snow-trained colt does his best running late, and there should be speed coming back to him.

◗ He looked good winning a $50,000 maiden optional-claiming race on Aug. 20, and he didn’t embarrass himself when he finished sixth while trying to rally into a slow pace in the B.C. Derby.

Smart Deal, by Skimming
Last 3 Beyers: 72-71-74

◗ Trained by Mel Snow, he made what looked like a winning move in a similar race Aug. 20 but, like the rest of the field, was blown away by Not Yet in the stretch.

◗ He came back with a solid effort going 6 1/2 furlongs, showing surprising speed while finishing second to Pan Handle. Pan Handle, who drew the outside post for Sunday, is questionable at the distance. On the other hand, Smart Deal shouldn’t mind the move back to a route and could be dangerous if Miguel Rodriguez can ease him into a stalking position after he breaks from the inside post.