Noble Indy running solely for Repole in Dwyer Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – When Noble Indy runs in Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park, he will do so as the sole property of Mike Repole, who bought out WinStar Farm as his partner on the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby winner.

“I made WinStar an offer for 50 percent, and Elliott and WinStar gladly accepted,” Repole said, referring to Elliott Walden, president and chief executive of WinStar.

WinStar Farm owns Triple Crown winner Justify with China Horse Club, Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners, and Jack Wolf’s Starlight Stable.

Repole was frustrated after the Belmont Stakes because he wanted Javier Castellano to put Noble Indy on the lead. Repole felt Javier Castellano did not ride Noble Indy aggressively enough to make the lead, a spot that was ultimately occupied by Justify, who went gate to wire to win the Belmont and complete his Triple Crown.

“With the success that Elliott and WinStar and his partners have had with Justify – who is the top 3-year-old not only of this crop but one of the top 3-year-olds of all time – to own another 3-year-old in partnership with somebody else could be a little bit of a conflict of interest,” Repole said. “I think me becoming the sole owner prevents any conflict of interest or any future debates about spots or races that I would like to target with this horse.”

Noble Indy won the Louisiana Derby before finishing 17th in the Kentucky Derby and last of 10 in the Belmont.

Repole, who has made a jockey change to John Velazquez, is hoping for a bounce-back effort in the Dwyer.

“He’s training good,” Repole said. “He was training good before the Belmont. I think his style is to be on the lead or at least super close. Don’t think he’s a horse that wants to rate. He needs to get in rhythm and go a little quick early.”

Though Repole said he is “a better 100 percent owner than I will be a 50 percent owner,” he remains partners with Vinnie Viola on Vino Rosso, the Grade 2 Wood Memorial winner who is targeting the Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 28. Repole said he has also partnered with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners on 2-year-olds who will race this year.