Rivelli credits jockey Corrales after Nobals wins BC Turf Sprint

Nobals typically finds his best on the lead or close to it. A trip from off the pace was "absolutely not" what trainer Larry Rivelli envisioned. Under the hands of jockey Gerardo Corrales, Nobals showed a new dimension when he rallied up the rail to win the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

After a few jumps, Live in the Dream was sent up to take the early lead inside of a hard-sent Jasper Krone. Behind them into the turn was 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel. Nobals (12-1), usually with the top flight, instead bided his time midfield. Around the far turn, Live in the Dream cleared off, as if to dare the rest to reel him in down the lane. Meanwhile, Nobals was making a gradual advance up the inside.

In upper stretch, Live in the Dream began to drift off the rail. Gerardo Corrales, meanwhile, was driving Nobals up the inside into the lane, and he began to close up ground on the pacesetter. Nobals caught Live in the Dream past the furlong mark. He briefly cleared near the sixteenth though Nobals was by no means home free. Big Invasion (12-1) was finishing sharply through horses, as was Aesop's Fables (10-1) outside.

Nobals found just enough to hold by a diminishing neck over the gaining Big Invasion, who had to deal with traffic near the inside before getting clear. Aesop's Fables was also closing ground late, but had to settle for third behind the top two, another 1/2 length back. Pacesetter Live in the Dream held on for fourth another 1/2 length back, a head in front of 5-2 favorite Motorious. Defending champion Caravel finished 10th.

12 horses ran in the Turf Sprint. Bradsell was a trainer's scratch, the only defection from the main field. With first also-eligible One Timer a veterinarian's scratch, Beer Can Man drew in from the reserves. Lane Way and Twilight Gleaming were also scratched as also-eligible.

Nobals stopped the clock in 55.15 seconds for five furlongs on Santa Anita turf rated fast. He paid his supporters $26, $13.20 and $9.40. The $2 exacta over Big Invasion paid $230.20.

As the sixth wagering choice, Nobals was the only true long shot winner of the nine Breeders' Cup races on Saturday. Among the other eight Breeders' Cup races, favorites won seven of them. The only other non-favorite to win was Master of the Seas ($8.60) in the Mile. Though Songline was the favorite, the difference in wagering between them was so slim that Songline would also have paid $8.60 had she won.

Nobals is a 4-year-old gelding by Noble Mission out of the Empire Maker mare Pearly Blue. Trained by Larry Rivelli for Patricia's Hope, the victory carries his career record to 18: 10-3-0, with earnings of $1,453,274. His win in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint was his first at the Grade 1 level.

Rivelli did not plan for the trip Nobals had, and credited Corrales for the ride. The trip was "absolutely not (how I drew it up). Stuff happens in these types of races and I think the jock made the difference today. He rode the horse perfect and stayed inside and the gap came and he was gone. This is it. I’m a third-generation trainer and we’ve been doing this forever. I’m happy for the connections — Vince Foglia, my buddy — and all my owners and friends and staff and family… it’s nice."