Nobals wins showdown with Patches O'Houlihan in Kennedy Road
Nobals, with E.T. Baird in the irons, worked overtime to come out on top in Saturday’s Grade 2 Kennedy Road at Woodbine.
The expected sprint showdown between Nobals and local standout Patches O’Houlihan materialized at the outset of the six-furlong main track tilt for 3-year-olds and up, with the speeders locking horns seconds out of the gate.
It was multiple graded-stakes winner Patches O’Houlihan, riding a four-race win streak, who fired the first shot, grabbing the lead after breaking last of six, as 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint champ Nobals, winless in three tries this year, shadowed his rival through a lively opening quarter in 21.80 seconds.
The front-end tussle carried on after a half in 44.24 seconds as the duo continued to spar coming off the turn for home.
Nobals, to the outside, looked to wear down Patches O’Houlihan and took a narrow advantage in mid-stretch, but the 11-time winner from 13 starts, Canada’s champion male sprinter of 2023, fought back gamely along the inside.
With 20 yards to the wire, Nobals finally gained the upper hand to prevail by a hard-fought three-quarters of a length in 1:08.59. War Bomber was third. Remuda and Armstrong dead-heated for fourth.
Baird, who found out he had the mount just days ago, had to scramble to get to Toronto.
“I rode him before, but I was actually caught off guard,” said Baird. “Larry (Rivelli, trainer) had given me a call, I think maybe on Thursday, and told me I was going to Woodbine on Saturday. My passport expired, so I was all day yesterday at the passport agency in Chicago. I went in there at nine o’clock and made it home at eight o’clock at night.”
It ended up being well worth it.
“My horse broke really well, and I was happy because I let him come out of there running,” said Baird. “He just sat real comfortable, and it worked out well.”
It was a triumphant return to Woodbine for 5-year-old Nobals.
In 2022, the son of Mission out of the Empire Maker mare Pearly Blue won the Woodstock Stakes on May 1 and finished 12th in the Bold Venture (G3) three months later.
Baird felt confident about his chances the moment he stepped on the track Saturday.
“The way he acted today, in the post parade and everything about him, was really professional. I had a really good feeling about him in the post parade. He was wanting to jump and move and seemed really bright and ready to go at it.”
With the win, Nobals, owned by Patricia’s Hope, is 22: 11-3-0 with over $1.6 million in career earnings.
The next stop for the well-traveled gelding is a date in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, Dec. 8, to compete in the US$3.35 million Sprint.