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Noble holds Court in San Vicente Joy Ride Racing's NOBLE COURT (Doneraile Court) dug in determinedly in deep stretch and held off Law Breaker (Silver Deputy) by a neck to take the $150,000 San Vicente S. (G2) at Santa Anita on Sunday. The John Sadler-trained three-year-old finished seven furlongs on the wet-fast track in 1:23, notching his first stakes victory and propelling himself onto the Triple Crown trail. With Corey Nakatani in the irons, Noble Court rated in fourth along the rail as Half Famous (Tribal Rule) and Spanish Influence (Petionville) argued the pace through fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 2/5. Noble Court crept closer on the far turn and burst between rivals to seize command, getting six furlongs in 1:10 1/5. Law Breaker then emerged as a serious danger, as he rallied on the outside and got as far as the winner's throat latch. Admirably resolute, Noble Court simply refused to let his rival go by him. "He looked like he struggled with the track a little bit," Sadler said. "He was fighting it, but we're happy to come out with a win on a surface he didn't really love." "He was running a little green," Nakatani noted, "but I was just patient, was able to slide through on the inside and was able to find a seam coming around the turn. When you're on much the best horse, I'd rather save ground and win the race than ask the horse to do too much and not win the race." Half Famous kept on gamely toward the inside for third, 1 3/4 lengths adrift of Law Breaker. Vaunt (GB) (Averti) crossed the wire another 4 1/2 lengths back in his dirt debut, followed by a tailed-off Spanish Influence. Hurry Up Austin (Lake Austin) was scratched at the gate, while Major Pleasure (Officer) was withdrawn earlier in the day. Noble Court justified his 4-5 favoritism by returning $3.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Law Breaker, the 2-1 second choice, gave back $2.60 and $2.20, and Half Famous paid $3 to show as the longest shot on the board at 16-1. The $1 exacta was worth a paltry $3.60, with the 2-5-1 trifecta ($1) totaling $13.60. The winner more than tripled his bankroll to $131,600 while improving his mark to 4-2-1-1. Noble Court broke his maiden impressively at Hollywood Park in his second start. Skipping the allowance route, he went straight into the San Miguel S. and finished a creditable third to E Z Warrior (Exploit) last time out. Bred by Brereton C. Jones in Kentucky, the bay colt was purchased by his current connections for $190,000 as a two-year-old in training at the 2006 OBS March Sale. He is the first foal from the Grindstone mare Grey Dawn Grey, who has a juvenile colt named Star Fleet Command (Indian Charlie) and a yearling filly by Friends Lake. Grey Dawn Grey is a half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Real Cash (Tank's Prospect). Sadler said that Noble Court would stretch out to two turns, probably in the March 17 San Felipe S. (G2).
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