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Notional regains his form in Salvator Mile J. Paul Reddam's NOTIONAL (In Excess [Ire]) rallied boldly into contention on the far turn, collared pacesetter Gottcha Gold (Coronado's Quest) at the top of the stretch, and went on to a 2 1/4-length victory in Saturday's $300,000 Salvator Mile H. (G3) at Monmouth Park. Unplaced in his last three outings, the colt was making his debut for new trainer Mark Hennig and snapped a five-race losing skein while garnering his third career graded tally. The four-year-old finished a mile in 1:35 4/5 with Joe Bravo. Sent off the near 8-1 fourth choice among six rivals, Notional gave back $17.80, $5.40 and $2.80 to his supporters. Gottcha Gold, who was seeking his second consecutive victory in the Salvator Mile after upsetting eventual champion Lawyer Ron last year, had no excuses as the 4-5 favorite, setting uncontested splits in :23 and :46 over the fast track. His clear lead was quickly erased on the final bend, and he hit the six-furlong mark in 1:10 with a diminishing head advantage over the rapidly gaining Notional. Gottcha Gold paid $2.60 and $2.10 for runner-up honors, and it was 2 1/4 lengths back to the 4-1 Honest Man (Unbridled's Song), who yielded $2.60. The exotics payoffs were $48.40 (exacta), $178.80 (trifecta) and $425 (1-5-6-4 superfecta). Indy Wind (A.P. Indy) took fourth at 3-1 and was followed under the wire by Better Than Bonds (Sweetsouthernsaint) and Rathor (Ire) (Machiavellian). Bred in California by Vessels Stallion Farm, Notional commanded a $235,000 winning bid at the 2006 Barretts March two-year-old sale after selling for $77,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale. He's out of the winning French Deputy mare Truly Blessed, who is also the dam of a yearling colt by Jackpot. Notional was on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail last year, winning the San Rafael S. (G2) and Risen Star S. (G3) and finishing a close second in the Florida Derby (G1), but he was sidelined by an injury and didn't return to the races until February of this year. He's now earned $695,740 from an 11-4-1-2 mark.
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