NEWS
Derby-bound Noble’s Promise works, scopes clean
Posted: Monday, April 26, 2010 10:12 AM
NOBLE'S PROMISE
PhotosByZ.com
by Pete Denk
Noble’s Promise was declared a probable starter in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) after he worked four furlongs at Churchill Downs and scoped clean Monday morning, according to trainer Ken McPeek.
Nobles Promise, owned by the Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 partnership, worked four furlongs in company with an unidentified stablemate. He covered a half-mile on the muddy track in :48.80, which ranked seventh fastest of 45 works at the distance.
“The work went perfect,” McPeek said. “I had [jockey Willie Martinez] wait until the eighth pole to let him out, and he cruised alongside that other horse and punched on home easy. The horse worked fantastic and he scoped good and clean. At this point he’s going in the Derby.
“He needed to work well, eat well, and scope clean, and he did all those.”
McPeek said Martinez has the mount on Saturday. Martinez rode Noble’s Promise three times last year, including his victory in the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland Race Course and third-place finish in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Robby Albarado rode Noble’s Promise in both of his 2010 starts, which resulted in a second-place finish by a head to champion Lookin At Lucky in the Rebel Stakes (G2) and a troubled fifth in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
“Robby Albarado made the decision to ride [Sunland Derby (G3) winner] Endorsement,” McPeek said. “The truth is, Robby’s been my stable rider, but at this point Willie has got the mount. Willie did a great job working him today. I think you’re better off having a rider who knows the horse, and Willie is an experienced rider.”
Noble’s Promise, by Cuvee, is out of the Clever Trick mare The Devil’s Trick. The Arkansas Derby was his first off-the-board finish in eight career starts.
Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Keeneland observer, Lexington, KY on April 26, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Let's see: Did not get much out of the Arkansas Derby. Missed training time due to injury. Not bred to go 1 1/4 miles. Hard to see he has the foundation to get the Derby distance in a race that will likely have a fast early pace.
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Posted by: Riley Martin, New York, NY on April 26, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Might be one of the few times Martinez actually lets one run.
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Posted by: Wendy, Versailles, KY on April 26, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Speed pedigree top and bottom. He is highly suspect at 1 1/4 miles. I'll bet against him.
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Posted by: Jim, Barboursville, WV, WV on April 26, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Why not, he has the earnings, and , if healthy, certainly fits with this undistinguished group. Noble's Promise could easily hit the board.
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