Princess Noor Runs Away With Del Mar Debutante
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Princess Noor and Victor Espinoza return from their win in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes at Del Mar
Zedan Racing Stables' Princess Noor may have only completed the second start of her career, but the filly's $1.35 million price tag is starting to look like a bargain.
"We knew going in she was a special filly," trainer Bob Baffert said. "She showed so much brilliance at the sale. That's why she cost so much, and we got what we expected to see today."
A 2-year-old daughter of Not This Time , the dark bay filly had little problem asserting her dominance in the $250,500 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) Sept. 6 at Del Mar. Turning in a strong stretch run under Victor Espinoza, Princess Noor left the competition in her wake. She was all alone at the wire and stopped the clock in 1:23.15 for the seven-furlong sprint.
There was a brief commotion at the break when Princess Noor, in an early bid for the lead, sprung forward, then darted awkwardly inward and made contact with My Girl Red. Off balance, My Girl Red was pushed toward the inside rail and bumped Roll Up Mo Money, who in turn made glancing contact with Get On the Bus.
Illumination, who broke outside the scrum in post 5, took the early lead over Forest Caraway, and the two duked it out at the front of the pack. Having recovered from the tumultuous break, Princess Noor stalked the leaders through the backstretch.
Illumination set fractions of :23.01 and :45.49 through the half-mile. Forest Caraway pressed the pace while Princess Noor continued her patient run in the three path. Exiting the backstretch, Espinoza guided his filly wide, and the two collared Illumination at the top of the turn. With plenty of room to run, Espinoza stepped on the gas, and as the frontrunners reached the top of the stretch, Princess Noor began to pull away under little coaxing.
Showing off her impressive turn of foot, Princess Noor continued to increase her lead in deep stretch and cruised to the wire with ease. In earning her first top-level score by an impressive 6 1/2 lengths, the filly stamped herself among the brightest stars to watch in her division.
Forest Caraway moved up in the final strides to take second, followed by Illumination in third. Get On the Bus finished fourth, 17 1/4 lengths in front of Roll Up Mo Money to complete the field. My Girl Red was pulled up by jockey Flavien Prat before the field completed the first quarter-mile. The Texas Red filly jogged off the track under her own power.
There was a stewards inquiry following the race examining the incident at the break between Princess Noor and My Girl Red. Following a brief period of review, the inquiry was dismissed and the race result was declared official.
"Yes, she's a little green," Espinoza said. "It's only her second time (to race). Coming away from there, she went in a bit and I tried to get her off as quickly as I could. You try to control the babies as best as you can, especially at the break. (My Girl Red) came out on me. My filly was OK from there. I really don't know how good she is because I haven't let her run yet. It's nice to be back at Del Mar and riding good horses."
"She broke a little off kilter and was behind horses, but Victor didn't really push her, especially at the end," Baffert said. "We're happy to get the win. We'll run her back at Santa Anita and then go from there."
Princess Noor broke her maiden on debut Aug. 22 at Del Mar. The filly scored an equally eye-catching victory that day, leading at every point of call to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Her two victories bring her earnings to $183,000.
Princess Noor was bred in Kentucky by International Equities Holding out of the Wilko mare Sheza Smoke Show. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, she was purchased for $135,000 by Mark Marino, agent. She was later pinhooked to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training through the consignment of Top Line Sales where she achieved her seven-figure sale price when bought by Gary Young, agent. She is the first black-type winner for Not This Time, who stands at Taylor Made Stallions in Nicholasville, Ky.