TDN RISING STARS

January 11, 2018 - Gulfstream Park, Race 9, AOC, USD $51,000, 1 1/16M, .0000, NW1X

Noble Indy, c, 3, 2015 by Take Charge Indy

1st Dam: Noble Maz (MSW, $327,340), by Storm Boot
2nd Dam: Illusive Note, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Niner's Gal, by Forty Niner

Owner: WinStar Farm LLC & Repole Stable
Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Noble Indy battled gamely all the way to the wire to remain unbeaten Thursday at Gulfstream Park and become the newest ‘TDN Rising Star’.

The bay broke smoothly as the 4-5 favorite, but was forced to go three wide around the clubhouse turn. Going stride for stride with second choice Mississippi (Pioneerof the Nile) down the backstretch through fractions of :23.82 and :47.33, the two were clear from the rest of the field at the top of the lane. Noble Indy put his head in front straightening for home, but Mississippi fought bravely along the rail to draw on even turns inside the final furlong. Noble Indy found an extra gear in the final stages, however, to get up for the 3/4-length score.

“I thought it was a big effort,� winning trainer Todd Pletcher said. “You’re always concerned making your first start against winners, some pretty well-thought-of horses in the race, and stretching out around two turns. I though he did everything we’d want him to do.�

Noble Indy was an impressive debut victor sprinting here

Dec. 3 when he led all the way to score by 8 3/4-lengths. Repole Stable bought into a share of this colt with breeder WinStar Farm following that debut. The bay RNA’d for $45,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September sale and is out of MSW Noble Maz. This is the first ‘Rising Star’ for Take Charge Indy, who has 26 winners in his first crop.