Patricia's Hope LLC's Nobals parlayed a ground-saving trip into a diminishing neck victory over Big Invasion in the 16th running of the $1-million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.
Trained by Larry Rivelli and ridden by Gerardo Corrales, Nobals covered the five furlongs over a firm turf course in :55.15. It is the first Breeders' Cup victory for Rivelli and Corrales.
European raider Live In The Dream (IRE) shot to the front and opened a daylight advantage through an opening quarter-mile in :21.15 while Corrales had Nobals racing on the inside.
Live In The Dream took his advantage into the stretch, where he shook off a challenge from defending champion Caravel and Arzak but left room to his inside where Nobals slipped through at mid-stretch to take command.
Nobals opened enough of a cushion to hold off Big Invasion, who had followed him along the inside into the stretch and a fast-closing Aesop's Fables (IRE), who was another half-length back in third with Live In The Dream and Motorious completing the top five. Caravel finished 10th.
Nobals is a 4-year-old Noble Mission (GB) gelding. Bred in Kentucky by Dr. John A. Chandler, he is out of the Empire Maker mare Pearly Blue.
The victory was worth $520,000 and increased Nobals' lifetime earnings to $1,453,274 with a record of 18-10-3-0.
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Quotes:
Winning trainer Larry Rivelli, Nobals – “Absolutely not (how I drew it up). Stuff happens in these types of races and I think the jock made the difference today. He rode the horse perfect and stayed inside and the gap came and he was gone. This is it. I'm a third-generation trainer and we've been doing this forever. I'm happy for the connections — Vince Foglia, my buddy — and all my owners and friends and staff and family… it's nice.”
Winning jockey Geraldo Corrales, Nobals – “We had a real nice trip. I had a lot of horse and when the rail opened up, my horse was ready to go. He was the best horse today.”
Second-place trainer Christophe Clement, Big Invasion – “He was second best today. He ran a very good race, a very strong finish. I like to win, but I am very proud of the horse. He ran a nice race. We will try again.”
Trainer Brad Cox, 10th with defending Turf Sprint winner Caravel –“It was a good trip. I was happy with it. She straightened up and goes a couple jumps and kind of just leveled off a little bit. It's not what we were accustomed to the latter half of last year and first half of this year. She owes us nothing and we are very happy with what she's done and accomplished. She's off to the sale. If someone buys her, that probably determines if she keeps racing, but no matter what, we are very proud of her.”
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