Noble Pursuit favored to end meet with a bang in Hasta La Vista

PHOENIX – Noble Pursuit has been a new horse since coming to Turf Paradise. The 6-year-old son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin flashed talent in Southern California in his first few starts, but the light has gone on since he moved here this winter.

Noble Pursuit has won his four local starts, the last three on turf. That bodes well for this Robertino Diodoro trainee in the traditional closing-day event at Turf Paradise Saturday, the $35,000 Hasta La Vista. The 1 7/8-mile turf event drew a field of 11 and as race 10 ends the abbreviated 2021 season.

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Noble Pursuit hinted at talent in Southern California for John Sadler, but came here this winter and romped over maidens on dirt Feb. 4. He moved to turf and has won three straight, including the 1 3/8-mile Wildcat Handicap here April 9. Karlo Lopez, who was up for his last two wins, stays aboard.

Thorn Hill Cat, a 7-year-old gelding owned by Jesus Vielma and Alfredo Aspirino and trained by Aspirino, may be a threat with the return to turf. The son of Crown of Thorns won two turf races here recently before fading to sixth in a race washed off the turf here April 16.

Big Buzz invades from Southern California for owner-trainer Adam Kitchingham and is proven at up to 1 3/8 miles. Most Determined pressed the issue before finishing third to Noble Pursuit in the Wildcat for owner-trainer Brad Taylor, and appears comfortable playing the long game.

Golden Dragon invades from the Midwest and was well regarded enough to get a few graded stakes tries going long. Mulholland Highway comes off a mile win on this course and is bred to go long for Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale. Mambocella doesn’t come here terribly sharp, although one of his best races came in the 1 1/2-mile Turf Distance Series Finale here in March 2020.

* Bella Dona looms an overwhelming favorite in the $30,000 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity (race 6). The five-furlong event for 2-year-olds drew a field of seven.

Bella Dona, owned by Robert and Del Rae Driggers and trained by Simon Buechler, whipped maidens by almost five lengths in her debut here April 14. Five of her six rivals are making the first start of their career.