Noble Drama spoils Jesus’ Team’s return at Gulfstream

Noble Drama rallied from last to catch favored Super Corinto at the finish to win Saturday’s feature at Gulfstream Park, in which multiple Grade 1 stakes-winner Jesus’ Team returned to the races off a 15-month layoff.

Jesus’ Team, who was sidelined while battling cases of salmonella and laminitis that followed minor surgery to remove an ankle chip, was never a factor while finishing ninth in the mile optional claiming allowance.

 “He’d needed the race. He’s been through a lot,” said trainer Jose D’Angelo, who saddled the son of Tapiture for runner-up finishes in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and 2021 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and a third-place finish in the 2020 Preakness Stakes (G1). “I’m happy with his race.”

 

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Super Corinto, a Group 1-winning Chilean import making his first start in the U.S. for trainer Amador Sanchez, went to post as the 8-5 favorite and appeared on his way to victory under Hector Berrios after taking the lead at the top of the stretch. Noble Drama, a seven-time stakes winner over the Gulfstream Park main track owned by David Fawkes Stable Inc., made a wide sweep into the stretch and finished powerfully to prevail by a half-length.

“He’s a nice horse, isn’t he? That’s him. The Silky Sullivan of today,” trainer David Fawkes said. ‘He’s a neat horse.”

Noble Drama ($26,20), a close relative to Eclipse champion Big Drama and multiple Grade 1 stakes-winner Sheer Drama, ran the mile in 1:35.13 under Emisael Jaramillo.

Jet Set Racing’s Super Corinto was making his first start since capturing the Gran Premio Hipodromo Chile (G1) April 30.

Pacesetter Wind of Change held on to finish third.