Noble Indy joins Kentucky Derby Contenders List

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
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Noble Indy proved one thing in winning the Louisiana Derby on March 24 at Fair Grounds in New Orleans and that is he can run fast early and still hang on at the finish.

The son of Take Charge Indy got into a speed duel with 99-1 shot Marmello and they raced through fractions of 22.97 and 46.61 to the half-mile. Marmello started losing interest shortly after and threw in the towel near the three-eighths pole in 1:11.47.

Noble Indy was jumped on by closer Lone Sailor after rounding the second turn and even surrendered the top spot as they moved past the quarter-pole. My Boy Jack also was closing in the middle of the track to offer another challenge. Noble Indy dug in at the rail and got his head back in front of Lone Sailor as they hit the wire in 1:50.28 for the mile-and-an-eighth race.

Noble Indy went from the three-eighths pole to the quarter-pole in 26.41, so he slowed considerably at that point. Is that the reason he nearly got caught or were the closers that good? I’m going to say that the early fractions took a toll on him. I don’t know if he can pull off something like that in a longer race. I don’t care what the Beyer comes back for the race it was fast early and slow late.

I’m going to add him to my top 10 (plus one or two more) because he has the points to get into the Kentucky Derby and once you’re in a race you can be dangerous.

Lone Sailor is trained by Tom Amoss and is headed to Churchill Downs and the Derby with his 40 points.

Runaway Ghost won the Sunland Derby on March 25 at Sunland Park in New Mexico and picked 50 points and should be safely in the Derby. The time for the mile-and-an-eighth race was 1:49.20. The son of Ghostzapper was previously second in the Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland after being shipped from Southern California so he wouldn’t have to face the likes of Bolt d’Oro and McKenzie.

The next two races are the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse in the United Emirates and the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, both on March 31. The UAE Derby is a mile-and-three-sixteenths race while the Florida Derby is a mile-and-an-eighth.

The 2018 Kentucky Derby contenders are:

Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) won the San Felipe on the disqualification and headed to the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

McKinzie (Street Sense) ran a heck of a race in the San Felipe; also headed to Santa Anita Derby.

Magnum Moon (Malibu Moon) had a powerful win in the Rebel.

Enticed (Medaglia d’Oro) won the Gotham and makes Audible’s win in the Holy Bull look even better. He is being pointed to the Wood Memorial on April 7 in New York.

Solomini (Curlin) will make the Derby; he’s just had some bad racing luck

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Good Magic (Curlin) was third in the Fountain of Youth, but I still think he’s got a lot of talent.

Audible (Into Mischief) looked strong in winning the Holy Bull; Florida Derby is next.

Noble Indy (Take Charge Indy) won the Louisiana Derby.

My Boy Jack (Creative Cause) was closing fast in the Louisiana Derby but couldn’t catch the top one.

Promises Fulfilled (Shackelford) won the Fountain of Youth but I have pedigree issues.

Justify (Scat Daddy) needs to get into a points’ race.

Cover Photo: Noble Indy (orange cap); Hodges Photography