Favored Noble Tune proved much the best in the $150,000 Pilgrim Stakes (gr. III) on Monday at Belmont Park, showcasing an explosive turn-of-foot to win the 1 1/16th miles turf race in decisive fashion.
Ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez, Noble Tune was content to bide his time in sixth place for much of the race while Special Skills led the way through snail-like fractions of :25.96, :51.54, and 1:16.73. West Hills Giant and Cerro comprised the pace-tracking group, followed along the rail by Notacatbutallama and on the outside by Saint Vigeur. Quinzeime Monarque was the early trailer.
Rounding the final turn, Cerro made a three-wide bid to challenge for the lead, but was quickly blown past by Noble Tune, who unleashed a simply stunning burst of speed to roar past the field in a matter of strides. From there, the race was over, as Noble Tune cruised home uncontested to win by about three lengths in 1:47.81 seconds over a yielding track.
Notacatbutallama chased him home gamely to clearly second-best, while Special Skills and Quinzeime Monarque rounded out the top four.
The winner, a son of Unbridled's Song out of the Storm Cat mare Serena's Cat, is trained by Chad Brown and owned by Dell Ridge Farm.
-Keelerman
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