Noble Tune eyes Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf after Pilgrim win
Owned by Dell Ridge Farms in partnership with Michael Schwartz, Noble Tune was bought after his impressive maiden victory, and after winning the Grade 3, $150,000 Pilgrim Stakes on the inner turf course of Belmont Park, the juvenile colt had his owners singing his tune.
"I started singing, 'We're going to California.' I was very lucky I was able to buy into the horse after Saratoga," Schwartz said. "I don't buy colts, so this is a special one. He's got a great pedigree."
The Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge race for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and that is where Noble Tune is headed to make his next start.
In the Pilgrim Stakes, the Chad Brown trained Kentucky bred colt was against six 2-year-old colts, and under jockey Ramon Dominguez, he was settled in sixth tracking the field in the 1 1/16 mile contest.
The same approach was applied in the Pilgrim Stakes by jockey Ramon Dominguez, who guided the horse to his maiden special weight race at Saratoga on 3 September.
The disciplined horse responded to every command, and Dominguez pegged him back being familiar with the juvenile colt’s big late stride. The duo rallied from sixth, and showed great manoeuvrability to win the Pilgrim Stakes in style.
"It was much like his debut. I thought he was very professional; he did some things you see experienced horses do," Brown said. "It's always encouraging to see a horse with this much class who has the sense to maneuver around, slip inside, slip outside, accelerate, and switch off early in the race."
Grandson of the champion three-year-old filly and multiple grade 1 winner, Serena’s Song, Noble Tune is the son of Unbridled’s Song, out of Storm Cat’s mare Serena’s Cat. So, Michael Schwartz was right in saying he has got a great pedigree.
Noble Tune in the Pilgrim Stakes rallied from behind to cast, Notacatbutallama, as runner-up by 2 ½ lengths, after being sent as the 1.3 to 1 favourite, and over the yielding turf, the colt turned in 1 1/16 miles in 1 minute and 47.81 seconds.
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