Born Noble (c, 2, Constitution–Zapperkat, by Ghostzapper) was as green as the St. Elias Stable silks he was carrying, but overcame his inexperience with a powerful 'TDN Rising Star' performance for Todd Pletcher at first asking in the opener on Pegasus Preview day at Gulfstream Park.
The 6-5 favorite jumped well from his outside draw and secured a perfect spot in second behind second-time starter and 6-5 second-choice Bonus Move (Twirling Candy). Born Noble cruised up alongside the pacesetter at the five-sixteenths marker and took over with authority at the top of the stretch.
Hanging on his left lead as they straightened for home, Born Noble lugged in sharply while well clear following a pair of left-handers from jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. He leveled off from there while racing under a snug hold after finally switching over before the sixteenth pole and crossed the wire 5 1/2 lengths to the good. Big City (City of Light) tagged Bonus Move for second.
Born Noble, a $725,000 KEESEP yearling, is the ninth 'Rising Star' for Constitution. The Constitution x Ghostzapper cross is also responsible for GSW & GISP Law Professor.
The winner's dam Zapperkat, third as the favorite in the 2016 GI Chandelier S., was disqualified from first and placed second for interference in the following year's GIII Torrey Pines S. Purchased by WinStar Farm for $485,000 as a broodmare prospect at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Zapperkat is also responsible for a Constitution yearling filly ($170,000 KEESEP purchase by Shaker Stable). Zapperkat was bred to Life Is Good for 2024. This is the extended female family of two-time champion Silverbulletday (Silver Deputy).
1st-Gulfstream, $60,000, Msw, 12-30, 2yo, 7f, 1:24.27, gd, 5 1/2 lengths.
BORN NOBLE, c, 2, by Constitution
1st Dam: Zapperkat (GISP, $128,520), by Ghostzapper
2nd Dam: Noelle Rose, by Lion Heart
3rd Dam: Rokeby Rosie, by Prized
Sales history: $725,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-St. Elias Stable & West Point Thoroughbreds; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
“He's a bit green, but he's a bit good!” – @AnnouncerPete
#8 BORN NOBLE is successful on debut, winning the opener at Gulfstream Park under @iradortiz for @PletcherRacing and owners St. Elias Stable and @westpointtbred.
Another winner by Constitution who stands at @WinStarFarm. pic.twitter.com/9b9Z4Di8kk— TVG (@TVG) December 30, 2023
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