BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Zedan Racing Stables’ Florida-bred Nooni put away her speedy rivals coming out of the turn then drew off in the lane to cruise to a four-and-a-three-quarters lengths victory in a third condition, $100,000 optional claiming. Six fillies and mares, 3-year-old and older went seven furlongs in the $103,437 contest.
It was the second consecutive triumph for the 4-year-old daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Win Win Win, who also generated a $3,000 Export Incentive for breeders Ocala Stud, Joseph M. O’Farrell III and David O’Farrell, et. Al.
With Jose Ortiz in the irons, Nooni initially went back and forth for the lead with stake-winner Spring Dancer before settling just off her Florida-bred rival in second for the run down the backstretch. Spring Dancer was a length in front after a quarter-mile in an honest :23.07 but Nooni ranged up to her outside in the turn with Tapit Quick also joining the fray three wide. The trio clicked off a :46.09 half-mile while three across the track but Nooni kicked clear from between those two at the top of the stretch, finishing up in 1:22.48 on the fast track. Roswell came from last to get second, a length ahead of Coaster in third. Completing the order of finish were Spring Dancer, Tapit Quick and Silent Law. Look Forward was scratched.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Nooni paid $3.42 to win.
A winner of the Grade 3 Sorrento in her second career start at Del Mar in August of 2024, Nooni was also a runner-up in that year’s Grade 2 Oak Leaf presented by Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park. She finished her freshman year with two wins from six starts, earning $212,400 but did not race again until July of this year when third in the Grade 2 Great Lady M at Los Alamitos. In one start since, she took a six-furlong, $62,500 optional claiming at Ellis Park on August 2.
Nooni is out of Unanimity, by Union Rags and topped the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale out of the Ocala Stud consignment when bloodstock agent Donato Lanni bid $1.8 million on behalf of Zedan.
Return to the September 15 issue of Wire to Wire
