Horsepower catches Nobals to score upset in Karl Boyes

Horsepower had plenty indeed on Friday, gamely rallying by favored Nobals for an upset win in the $100,000 Karl Boyes Stakes on Friday at Presque Isle Downs.

Nobals, winner of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, was coming off a course record-setting performance at Churchill Downs. The gelding, under Pablo Morales, set the pace and led second choice Ponce de Leon through the half in 45.01 seconds on the all-weather track. Horsepower ($17.20) and Samuel Marin were third behind them, and cut the corner saving plenty of ground as the favorite left the rail open. With a determined rally, Horsepower caught Nobals in the final furlong and got his measure for a 1 1/4-length win. Nobals held a clear second, 4 1/2 lengths clear of Ponce de Leon.

The time for the six furlongs was 1:08.84.

Horsepower, trained by Joe Orseno for D. J. Stable, won for the third time in five starts this year. This was his first stakes score; he was second in the Turf Dash in February at Tampa Bay, and seventh in the Elusive Quality in May at Aqueduct.

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