Noble Nashua Stakes 2011 at Belmont - Smokin Hero wins under Alan Garcia
Smokin Hero might have reared up several times at the starting gates of the Nobel Nashua Stakes held at Belmont Park but he did live up to his name when he smoked his rivals in the Noble Nashua Stakes.
The five year old gelding got hold of his eighth win in 27 starts under the masterful hands of Alan Garcia. Smokin Hero is trained by Chris Englehart. He was sent at winning odds of 8-1 and he completed the 1609 metres in one minute and 36.19 seconds. He
was able to pay 18.80, $7.30 and $3.5. The Noble Nashua Stakes has a purse of $60,000.
Smokin Hero was sired by Smokin Mel. He is out of the mare Broomesse. Smokin Hero is owned by Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable and R. D Hubbard. Wachtel Stables are also the breeders of Smokin Hero.
Smokin Hero seems to respond best when ridden by Charles C. Lopez because he was beaten in his two starts at Monmouth Park when Joe Bravo and Carlos Marquez held his reins.
Coordination with Lopez seems to work because the jockey knows how to handle and set a pace, which makes the brown gelding show his best. His trainer holds the same view and he was quoted saying “Lopez has always done a good job with him”.
The capability and skill of Smokin Hero can be assessed by his performance in his last starts, he was second at both of this year’s starts at Aqueduct Park, and the first was held in February 21, 2011.
Smokin Hero was ridden by Charles C. Lopez in Hollie Hughes. In another allowance race in which he took part was held on April 21, 2011. It had a purse of $ 42, 000 and it was won by Premium Wine.
Smokin Hero had never run for a distance more than six furlongs but his superb performance in the Noble Nashua Stakes is negating this fact. He stormed past Spa City in the stretch and was able to get hold of victory by a mere head as he made it to the wire.
The duel between Smokin Hero, and, Spa City, resulted in Spa City succumbing to second place and paying $5.10 and $2.70.
During the opening quarter, Smokin Hero ran on the outside of Spa City for a time span of 23.38 seconds. Johannesburg feeling left behind rallied and joined Smokin Hero and Spa City in a timing of 45.98 seconds.
Johannesburg Smile paid $ 2.30 to show. Johannesburg Smile was third as he came a neck behind Smokin Hero and Spa City. The fourth position was claimed Slevin and Naughty New Yorker stood fifth.
Englehart belongs to a family in racing, his wife, Sheila, is his assistant and exercise rider and his son Jeremiah also trains. For them, Smokin Hero is a promising gelding, who can yield better results in upcoming races. Let us hope that he remains physically
fit to do so.
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