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withdrawn earlier in the day.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).