Zedan Racing’s NOONI stayed undefeated on Saturday with a graded stakes victory in the Sorrento Stakes (G3) at Del Mar.
Eager to run, NOONI jumped out of the gate quickly and went to duel Casalu for the lead early in the six-furlong dirt race. They stayed close to each other throughout the early running with Casalu keeping the pressure on before NOONI took clear command with two furlongs left in the running.
Jockey Juan Hernandez asked her for more at the top of the stretch and she put in her best running at that point. Easing some of the pressure off late, she rolled home 1 ½ lengths in front to give trainer Bob Baffert his eighth victory in the race.
“She was really comfortable,” said Hernandez. “She was really quick out of the gate. I had to push her a little at the end, but we did it. I asked her to run around the quarter pole and she switched leads and picked it up really well. You know, she gave me another good breath and she took another good step. It’s only her second race but she looks really good so far. Can’t wait to see how she improves.”
Zedan purchased NOONI for $1.8 million earlier this year at the OBS March 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale from Ocala Stud with Donato Lanni signing the ticket. The sale topping filly was a record breaker when breezing in :20.1 during the Under Tack Sale, the fast quarter mile in OBS history.
Her victory comes only days after a Not This Time colt joined Zedan Stable after being purchased for $3.4 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.
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HORSE | RACE | PLACE | DATE |
---|---|---|---|
Taif | MSW | 2nd | 12/08/24 |
Nooni | Starlet S. [G2] | 5th | 12/07/24 |
Nafisa | MSW | 3rd | 11/29/24 |
Barnes | MSW | 1st | 11/27/24 |
Zabo | MSW | 9th | 11/17/24 |