Nobals prevails in the Kennedy Road (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO – Nobals, with E.T. Baird in the irons, worked overtime to come out on top in Saturday’s $175,000 bet365 Kennedy Road (G2) at Woodbine.
The expected sprint showdown between Nobals and local standout Patches O’Houlihan materialized at the outset of the six-furlong main track tilt for 3-year-olds and up, with the speeders locking horns seconds out of the gate.
It was multiple graded stakes winner Patches O’Houlihan, riding a four-race win streak, who fired the first shot, grabbing the lead after breaking last of six, as 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint champ Nobals, winless in three tries this year, shadowed his rival through a lively opening quarter in :21.80.
The front-end tussle carried on after a half in :44.24, as the duo continued to spar coming off the turn for home.
Nobals, to the outside, looked to wear down Patches O’Houlihan, and took a narrow advantage in mid-stretch, but the 11-time winner from 13 starts, feted as Canada’s champion male sprinter of 2023, fought back gamely along the inside.
With 20 yards to the wire, Nobals finally gained the upper hand to prevail by a hard-fought three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:08.59. War Bomber (IRE) was third. Remuda and Armstrong dead-heated for fourth.
Baird, who found out he had the mount just days ago, had to scramble to get to Toronto.
“I rode him before, but I was actually caught off guard,” said Baird. “Larry (trainer, Rivelli) had given me a call, I think maybe on Thursday, and told me I was going to Woodbine on Saturday. My passport expired, so I was all day yesterday at the passport agency in Chicago. I went in there at nine o’clock and made it home at eight o’clock at night.”
It ended up being well worth it.
“My horse broke really well, and I was happy because I let him come out of there running,” said Baird. “He just sat real comfortable and it worked out well.”
It was a triumphant return to Woodbine for 5-year-old Nobals.
In 2022, the son of Mission (GB) out of the Empire Maker mare Pearly Blue won the Woodstock Stakes on May 1 and finished twelfth in the Grade 3 Bold Venture three months later.
Baird felt confident about his chances the moment he stepped on the track Saturday.
“The way he acted today, in the post parade and everything about him, was really professional. I had a really good feeling about him in the post parade. He was wanting to jump and move and seemed really bright and ready to go at it.”
With the win, Nobals, owned by Patricia’s Hope LLC, is 11-3-0 from 22 starts, to go with over $1.6 million in career earnings.
The next stop for the well-travelled gelding is a date in Hong Kong for the 2024 Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse Sunday, Dec. 8., to compete in the HK$26-million ($3.35-million U.S.) Sprint.
Bred in Kentucky by Dr. John A. Chandler, Nobals was a $3,500 (U.S.) purchase at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearling Sale.
He paid $8.40 for the Kennedy Road win.
