Pletcher looks to have a hot prospect in Noble Indy

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The 2017 meeting is only two days old and already trainer Todd Pletcher has unveiled a potential prospect, Noble Indy, for the important 3-year-old stakes to be run here during the winter, including the $1 million Florida Derby.

Noble Indy, a WinStar Farm homebred, captured his debut by 8 3/4 lengths Sunday, earning a 77 Beyer Speed Figure in the process. Noble Indy, a son of Take Charge Indy out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Noble Maz, completed seven furlongs in a lively 1:22.15 despite having acted up badly at the starting gate just prior to the race.

Pletcher has won three of the last four editions of the Florida Derby, two of those victories with Constitution (2014) and Materiality (2015), both of whom won their career debuts here during the Championship meet.

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◗ A total of 123 horses have been nominated to the six juvenile stakes, worth $75,000 each, to be contested Saturday as a prelude to the $600,000 Clasico del Caribe program later in the afternoon. The list of nominees includes the undefeated 2-year-old filly Writer’s Almanac, perfect in four starts in her native Puerto Rico, who is nominated to both the one-mile Hut Hut and six-furlong House Party.

Entries for all 11 races on Saturday’s program will be drawn Wednesday.

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