Noble's Promise goes in a new direction

Noble's Promise, the fifth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, had a clockwise workout over turf last weekend and continues to progress toward his next race, the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in Britain on June 15, according to trainer Ken McPeek.

Noble's Promise had his unrecorded workout over the turf at McPeek's Magdalena Farm in Lexington on Saturday.

"He handled it real well," said McPeek. "He's scheduled to be flown to Newmarket on June 3, and we'll complete our preparations from there. Unlike in America, where races are run in a counterclockwise direction, the St. James's Palace will be run in the opposite direction, and McPeek has been trying to get Noble's Promise accustomed to that.

McPeek also is making plans for some of his other stakes horses.

Beautician, fourth in the Kentucky Oaks, probably will run next in the Grade 3 Regret on June 12 at Churchill. Orchestrator, winner of the Bourbonette Oaks in March, goes this weekend in the American 1000 Guineas at Arlington Park.

My Baby Baby, winner of the Fairway Fun in March, will run in either the May 29 Matron at Arlington or the June 12 Fleur de Lis at Churchill. So, too, will Striking Dancer, who will be pointed to the Fleur de Lis or Matron. She won the Grade 2 La Canada in February at Santa Anita.

McPeek said two of his stakes horses, Sudden War and Bold Start, are on the sidelines.