Noble Bird's class stands out in Fayette Stakes

Trainer Mark Casse describes Noble Bird as “kind of a weird duck.” But weird though he may be, Noble Bird is also fast and classy, two traits that should make him the favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Fayette Stakes on closing day of the Keeneland fall meet.

The winner of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap in 2015, Noble Bird enters the Fayette after having led from start to finish in the Lukas Classic on Oct. 1 at Churchill Downs, beating fellow Fayette starter Hawaakom and this year’s Stephen Foster winner, Bradester.

Whether Noble Bird can clear on the lead in the Fayette is another story. The longshot Mr. Z may have the speed to outsprint him early.

Regardless, Casse told Keeneland publicity that the plan is to keep the horse happy, noting that Noble Bird can be moody. So, Noble Bird and regular jockey Julien Leparoux likely will be where the horse wants to be.

“He doesn’t have to be on the front, but he wants to be close,” Casse said. “And if somebody gets in his way, he will run him over.”

Most of Noble Bird’s rivals are listed- or Grade 3-caliber dirt runners, and those in the lineup of a higher class come with question marks – such as Arlington Million runner-up Kasaqui, who is winless on dirt, and $2 million earner Prayer for Relief, who hasn’t raced since a sixth-place finish in Dubai in the Godolphin Mile on March 26.

If a fast pace develops in the 1 1/8-mile Fayette, that could play to the stalking style of Iron Fist, who closed to run second in the Grade 3 Ack Ack at a mile at Churchill on Oct. 1.

“It looked like he needed a little more ground on that day,” trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Fayette, Race 9

Key Contenders

Noble Bird, by Birdstone

Last 3 Beyers: 96-89-91

◗ He has been inconsistent this year, winning the Pimlico Special in addition to the Lukas Classic but also fading to finish in the rear half of the field in four of his seven starts in 2016 .

Kasaqui, by Lasting Approval

Last 3 Beyers: 102-100-98

◗ Returning for his second start of the meet after a close fifth in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile, he races for the first time on dirt in America after running mostly on grass. He competed twice on dirt in his native Argentina, finishing fifth and second.

Prayer for Relief, by Jump Start

Last 3 Beyers: NA-NA-NA

◗ Having spent most of the past two years in Dubai, he returns to America at age 8 and moves back into the barn of Dale Romans, one of three U.S. trainers to condition him. He isn’t short of back class, having won six stakes.