Noble Cornerstone ‘revitalized' after freshening
ELMONT, N.Y. – Technically, Wednesday’s $85,000 allowance feature at Belmont Park isn’t a stakes race. But it could be.
“Anywhere else in the country, they’d give $150,000 away for this race,” said Tom Morley, the trainer of Noble Cornerstone, who returns from a five-month layoff in this third-level allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs.
A field of 11 was entered, including two runners each from the barns of David Jacobson, Gustavo Rodriguez, Mike Hushion, and Jimmy Jerkens.
Noble Cornerstone, one of five New York-breds taking on open company, may have some upside at a price. He is 3 for 6 at Belmont Park, including a victory against open company last June when returning from an eight-month layoff. He is a late runner, and the pace here figures to be swift, with Chief Lion and Juba looking like the main speeds.
Though Morley said he could not pinpoint an issue with Noble Cornerstone during the early winter, the gelding by Noble Causeway was not running well, so he sent him to the farm for several months for a freshening.
“He seems to have come back a revitalized, energetic horse,” Morley said. “His works have been super.”
Luis Saez rides from post 5.
Chief Lion is a bit of a wild card for Jacobson. He claimed the horse for $62,500 out of a winning effort at Santa Anita in April, then ran him in a third-level allowance at Penn National that he won by 9 1/4 lengths. He makes his New York debut under Manny Esquivel. He is coupled in the wagering with Fabulous Kid, who two starts back finished second to Joking in a spot similar to this at Aqueduct.
Juba is coming off a career-best performance May 16, when he defeated Dannie’s Deceiver by 6 1/4 lengths. Dannie’s Deceiver came back to win the last race on Saturday’s Belmont Stakes program.
KEY CONTENDERS
Noble Cornerstone, by Noble Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 75-88-86
◗ Has shown the ability to run well off works, as he took his career debut in the fall of 2013 and his only win of 2015 came off an eight-month layoff.
◗ Morley attributes Noble Cornerstone’s affinity for Belmont to the fact that “he’s a massive, massive horse, and the sweeping turns allow him to get into a rhythm.”
All Star Red, by Five Star Day
Last 3 Beyers: 98-91-79
◗ Has an allowance win and a second to Always Sunshine in the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint on Preakness Day since being transferred to the barn of Rudy Rodriguez and his brother Gustavo. Gustavo is named as the trainer while Rudy serves a suspension.
◗ He is 2 for 2 at 6 1/2 furlongs.
Loki’s Vengeance, by Frost Giant
Last 3 Beyers: 86-82-89
◗ Finished second to Weekend Hideaway in the Affirmed Success Stakes. Weekend Hideaway came back to win the Commentator in his next start.
◗ Won a race similar to this at Belmont last fall, beating Green Gratto, who became a multiple stakes winner during the winter.
Juba, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 100-59-68
◗ He has followed the best race of his career last out with two solid works.
◗ Likely will face pace pressure from Chief Lion.