Ribaudo aims to continue solid run with Novique
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Robert Ribaudo hasn’t started many horses this winter at Gulfstream Park, but virtually all of them have run well.
Ribaudo has won with three of his last eight runners, a streak that started with Novique on Feb. 17. Novique is back in the entries for Thursday and looms as the horse to beat in a first-level allowance for fillies and mares that serves as the feature on a 10-race card.
Novique, a daughter of Bellamy Road, finished fourth in her debut here Jan. 28 in a race run over a sloppy track. She came back three weeks later to win a maiden race by a length over a fast track, pulling away from the pace-prompting Cafetiere in the final furlong.
“We expected her to run well first time, and she didn’t, so that threw us for a little bit of a tizzy,” said Ribaudo, who trains Novique for Marc Keller. “It was sloppy, and she broke slow, and I think she ran into a superstar.”
Ribaudo was talking about D’oro Tomorrow, a filly trained by Amy Tarrant who won the race by four lengths but has yet to run back.
“So, I think she got beat by a real good horse that day, and when she came up against an ordinary group, she won,” Ribaudo said. “This race will tell us if we’re moving forward or not.”
Javier Castellano, who has been aboard two of Ribaudo’s three winners at this meet, has the call on Novique from the rail.
Novique is taking on a field of more experienced runners including Ring Knocker, Sing Lady Sing, and How’s My Gold.
KEY CONTENDERS
Novique, by Bellamy Road
Last 2 Beyers: 71-52
◗ Took advantage of a slow pace to record a front-running score in her second career start and her first on a dry surface.
◗ Ribaudo had been looking for a race for this filly for several weeks, even shipping her to Gulfstream from Palm Meadows last week as a main-track-only entrant in a race that remained on the turf.
◗ Likely will be forwardly placed after breaking from the rail and might have to avoid a duel with Diamond Earring.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Novique. Trainer Bobby Ribaudo is 24-2-7-3 with a $0.55 ROI over the past five years with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Ring Knocker, by Birdstone
Last 3 Beyers: 77-62-60
◗ Benefitted from a hot early pace to win a maiden race in her ninth career start going 6 1/2 furlongs here Jan. 8.
◗ Came back to run fourth, beaten two lengths, in her first try against winners, a race from which runner-up Doublebolt came back to win a first-level allowance with an 89 Beyer Speed Figure.
How’s My Gold, by Gottcha Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 66-58-62
◗ Has finished first or second in seven of nine starts at Gulfstream and is coming off a restricted win against optional-claiming company here Feb. 28.
◗ Has a win and a second in two starts at seven furlongs.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Skipalute. Trainer Ralph Nicks is 20-7-4-1 with a $3.23 ROI over the past five years when adding blinkers in dirt sprints. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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