Nobals shows the way in Turfway Prevue
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Nobals earned the second stakes victory of his career with a front-running score in the $100,000 Turfway Prevue on Saturday night at Turfway Park, perhaps setting himself up to made use of his pedigree by stretching out down the line.
Nobals ($4), sent away favored, was hustled away from post 2 in the field of eight under Gerardo Corrales, and claimed a half-length lead over Private Road through an opening quarter in 22.27 seconds on the Tapeta. He had edged clear to lead by a length through a half-mile in 44.84 seconds. From there, he continued on well to the wire despite running on the wrong lead through the stretch, hitting the line 1 1/2 lengths in front and finishing the six furlongs in 1:16.99.
Determined Kingdom made a rail run to be a clear second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Amicable, who edged the fading Private Road by a head to round out the trifecta.
Nobals, bred in Kentucky by Dr. John Chandler, races for Patricia's Hope LLC and trainer Larry Rivelli. The gelding sports a pedigree full of stamina influences, although mainly on turf. He is by European champion Noble Mission, a long-winded full brother to champion Frankel, and the sire of classic-placed Code of Honor. Nobals is out of Pearly Blue, a daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker. The mare, who won at up to 1 3/8 miles on the turf, has produced five winners from as many starters. This is the family of Grade 1-winning turf routers Cetewayo and Dynaforce, as well as Grade 1-winning steeplechaser Red Letter Day.
Nobals has won three of his four starts on synthetic surfaces, with two unplaced outings on turf. The gelding won the Arlington-Washington Futurity at seven furlongs in Chicago last summer, and was second by a nose in the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile going 6 1/2 furlongs at Presque Isle. In his first try at a mile, he was fifth in the Qatar Golden Mile last November on the Del Mar turf.
The Turfway Prevue is one of two stakes for 3-year-olds this month at the eponymous track, along with the one-mile, $100,000 Leonatus Stakes on Jan. 22. Sophomores have opportunities on the local trail to the Kentucky Derby in the $120,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes on March 5, a 1 1/16-mile race offering its top finishers qualifying points on the 10-4-2-1 scale; and the Grade 3, $600,000 Jeff Ruby, awarding points on the 100-40-20-10 scale.