Court Vision wins Shadwell Turf Mile

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Michael Iavarone watched one of his horses cruise to victory Saturday at Keeneland and figured he had the perfect challenger for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Two races later, he watched another and decided he might have an even better one.

Court Vision, co-owned by Iavarone’s IEAH Stables, pulled in front of Karelian down the stretch to win the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile in a photo finish with Robby Albarado aboard.

It was one of two Grade I milelong turf races and automatic Breeders’ Cup bids for a horse owned by Iavarone, who also was in the winner’s circle for Diamondrella following her win in the First Lady.

It leaves Iavarone with some tough but enviable choices ahead of next month’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita. He said he expects Court Vision would run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and was undecided on Diamondrella’s destination.

“You buy horses for days just like this,” Iavarone said.

Although horses owned by Iavarone’s IEAH Stables dominated the soft turf on a busy day at Keeneland, Noble’s Promise also nabbed a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile berth after winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on Polytrack. The other automatic bid went to Informed Decision, winner of the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America.

Albarado, who was aboard Court Vision, said he believed in his horse, who came into the race with only five wins in 17 lifetime starts and none in more than a year.

“I knew this horse would finish up big, and he did,” Albarado said of Court Vision, who was trained by Rick Dutrow. “He had faced some quality horses in the past.”

Rajiv Maragh, who rode both Karelian and winner Diamondrella, said he thought he would be able to capitalize on a slow pace but came up just short.

“I knew I was going to have a lot left when they came to challenge me,” Maragh said. “He tried to the best of his ability. Unfortunately we came out second best, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Court Vision paid $11.60, $5.80 and $4.40. Karelian returned $9.80 and $5.80. Mr. Sidney was $3.40 to show.

Although the margin wasn’t nearly as close, Diamondrella also used a thunderous final kick to overtake Hotlantic, who faded from first to seventh in the stretch, and Tizaqueena, who was 2 3/4 lengths back in second.

“She gave me a big turn of foot like she always does — very consistent,” Maragh said. “I know what I’ve got with her because she always gives it to me.”

Forever Together, the even-money favorite who turned last year’s victory in the First Lady into a victorious trip in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, got off to a slow start and couldn’t make it up, finishing third.

“I had a bad trip, and the turf wasn’t that great,” said Forever Together’s jockey, Julien Leparoux. “She ran a big race even though the ground wasn’t the best for her. She’s still going to be a good horse, for sure.”

By winning the Breeders’ Futurity, his third win in four lifetime starts, Noble’s Promise not only earns a bid to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but is on a track to a possible Kentucky Derby challenge should he prove to make the transition to dirt.

Trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Willie Martinez both predicted a rosy future.

“I really believe in this horse,” Martinez said. “He has a good mind on him. I believe he can carry on.”