TORONTO, October 23, 2018 – Each week, track announcer Robert Geller comments on some of the performances that caught his eye, highlighting horses to key in on for upcoming races at Woodbine. NOBLE HOPE (October 14 – Race 5, No. 3, 2nd) Hope springs eternal for newcomer Noble Hope, who chased home upset winner D Magician over 6-1/2 furlongs on turf. Having raced handy throughout, Noble Hope began to threaten down the stretch but appeared to drift in and out when given a cut with the whip inside the final furlong. By Noble Mission from a Gone West dam, the two-year-old got within three-quarters of a length of the winner, out-running his 19-1 odds, finishing 4-1/4 lengths ahead of red-hot favourite Just Like Larry in third and second pick Combative in fourth. Trainer Roger Attfield appears to have some talent to work with here as Noble Hope raced greenly and is sure to improve from the outing. STATION ROCK (October 19 – Race 10, No. 6, 3rd) The most recent effort by Station Rock to close ground for third spot was his best at Woodbine in all three tries to date since having shipped in from Presque Isle Downs. Traffic issues in the 14-horse field forced Station Rock to angle out from the rail inside the three-eighths when full of run, and swing to the widest path of all, splitting runners down the stretch. Precious Badge kicked on to land the money over a game Truth Serum, whose momentum was also interrupted midway throughout the 7 furlongs extended sprint with Station Rock a half-length behind. The drop in class to the $20,000 claiming tag brought some life out of the 17-1 longshot giving trainer Pat Parente reason to run Station Rock back at the same level before the end of the meet. Follow Geller on Twitter @WoodbineGeller for more insights on racing at Woodbine. Share This:Share
