11/20/22

   5   DMR     Hope Stakes (GIII)

         $100.000    2yo      7f  Dirt         120lbs +penalties

The rags-to-riches story continues and my pick was about 6 feet, wide right.  Noble Faerie, owned by WIllams9, was tagged out of a $3.200 claimer back in Aug, and it’s been high-times ever since, as the gray freshman closed down the lane to take the Hope Stakes (GIII) by a neck.  The final running time for the seven furlongs was 1:22 flat, over the Fast DMR main track.  Two Million did all of the heavy lifting, but could hold off the eventual winner, setting for the second spot.  Charming Man was another half length back in third, then another length to Sioux Tribe in fourth.  Only four lengths from first to worst in this one. 

Noble Faerie is a 2yo gray gelded son of Noble Gold – Faerie Fae, by Master Engine, and he was bred by Chubby Racing here in Cal.  This was his fifth win from nine starts, and third win since the hostile takeover.  All three were of the stakes variety, this being his first graded score, and he now has earnings of $182.100.  Congrats to the Connections!

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast        Time: :23   :46   1:09³  1:22
$1 Exacta: 3 – 5 Paid 80.70          $1 Trifecta: 3 – 5 – 2 Paid 322.10
Scratched: None

Noble Faerie trailed the field into the lane, looked for room on the outside but shifted back inside veered in splitting horses at the sixteenth pole, burst to engage leaded in the final strides, up on the wire.  Two Million broke alertly setting the pace to the final 150-yards, headed, ceded.  Charming Man lacked early interest racing along the inside, began to more forward into the lane, pushed forward 2p, best of rest.  Sioux Tribe tracked the early pace 2p, move to 4p for the drive, flattened out.  Pinnacle Impact wide trip, no factor.  Ifritis Cavern was never a threat.  Proud Pick showed early speed to the far turn, folded. 

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES