Noble Indy's calmer demeanor pays off

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher has won three of the last four runnings of the Florida Derby with Constitution (2014), Materiality (2015), and last year’s Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming. If he’s to add to that impressive résumé this spring, it could be with Noble Indy, a son of Take Charge Indy who kept his record perfect after two starts with a game, half-length victory going 1 1/16 miles under allowance conditions here last week.

Noble Indy is owned in partnership by his breeder, WinStar Farm, and Mike Repole. He won his career debut Dec. 3 when beating a modest field of maidens by nearly nine lengths despite flipping at the starting gate just prior to the race.

Noble Indy, who earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure for his latest effort, was much better behaved all around prior to his second start, surviving a near race-long battle with Mississippi before edging away at the end. John Velazquez rode Noble Indy in both outings.

“I thought it was a big effort,” Pletcher said. “You’re always concerned when making the first start against winners – there were some pretty well-thought-of horses in the race – as well as stretching out around two turns. And I thought he did everything we could have hoped for.”

Pletcher also was pleased with Noble Indy’s improved demeanor before the race.

“We worked hard on the gate issue since his first race, and I thought he was improved,” Pletcher said. “He was great in the [saddling] enclosure, got up on his toes a little bit in the walking ring, but if he’s too quiet it might worry you also. Johnny said when he made the lead he idled a little bit, so there’s probably a little more to come.”

Pletcher has no plans at the moment for Noble Indy’s next start.

“It’s too early to make that call, but I’m sure I’ll have plenty of advisers on this one,” Pletcher said with a chuckle.