Noble Nick romps in C.J. Hindley Humboldt County Marathon

Noble Nick, a $16,000 claim in May, cruised around and around and around the half-mile track at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale and left his rivals in his dust in the $20,675 C.J. Hindley Humboldt County Marathon going 1 5/8 miles on Monday.

Joe Crispin settled Noble Nick in third behind second choice Sir Vronski and Presidentsky during the first three of four trips around the track.

Sir Vronsky tired and Presidentsky began to fade on the final trip down the backstretch, and Noble Nick pulled away.

He won by 4 3/4 lengths over late-running William Crotty in 2:56.00. My Golden One was third, another 1 1/2 lengths back. Noble Nick paid $4 to win.

“I was kind of worried he’d get boxed in, but Joe played it cool,” said Ari Herbertson, who trains Noble Nick for his father, Scott.

“I’m so proud of the horse and to see him relax off the pace.”

Scott Herbertson also won the 2016 Marathon with So Elite, whom he’d also claimed for $16,000. But unlike So Elite, Noble Nick ran third in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar in his start before the Marathon.

Noble Nick, 4-year-old Zensational gelding, earned $12,000 to improve his career earnings to $112,259 with 5 wins in 25 starts.