Noble Moon Takes First Derby Points Race of 2014

The Leah Gyamarti trained Noble Moon earned 10 points in the race to the Kentucky Derby by winning Saturday’s Jerome (G3) at Aqueduct and remained an early betting value in Derby future wagering.

BetOnline had Noble Moon listed at +3500 and Sportsbook.ag had the colt listed at +3000 on Sunday morning after his victory. The price had not been updated at Bovada.

The colt won for the second time in three career starts. He broke his maiden in his debut at Belmont Park on Sept. 14 in gate to wire fashion, and then came back to run third in the Nashua (G3) going a one-turn mile in his first start against winners, beaten three lengths.

On Saturday under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. the colt tracked the early pacesetter, came up the inside to take over the lead, repulsed a bid by runner up Classic Giacnroll to go on and win by two lengths, returning $3.60 as the betting favorite.

The colt stopped the timer in 1:45.08 for the one-mile and 70 yards and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85, a career best. He earned an 84 for his third in the Nashua.

By comparison, early Kentucky Derby favorite Shared Belief earned a 106 Beyer for his win in the CashCall Futurity (G1) at Hollywood Park on Dec. 14. The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee is currently listed at +850 at BetOnline.

Honor Code, who won the Remsen over Noble Moon, is currently the second choice in early Derby wagering at +1300. The colt earned an 88 Beyer for his Remsen score.

The Todd Pletcher trained Havana, who ran second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) is currently listed at +3000 at BetOnline. The colt earned a 93 Beyer for his win in the Champagne (G1) and then an 86 in his runner up finish in the Juvenile.

The Juvenile winner New Year’s Day is off the Derby trail after sustaining a sesamoid injury in December.

There are four more Derby points races this month:

January Derby Points Races
1/11/14 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita
1/18/14 Lecomte at Fair Grounds
1/20/14 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park
1/25/14 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park
(Points awarded to top four: 10-4-2-1)

Noble Moon Wins Remsen