Noble and Morgan team up for new track record at Scioto
June 15, 2013,from Scioto Downs Racino
Columbus, OH — I Found My Beach found his stride on Saturday evening (June 15) at Scioto Downs Racino, setting a new track record for 4-year-old pacing geldings.
With Dan Noble driving, the pair went in 1:50.3, taking one fifth of a second off the previous track record set by Full Of Sand and Aaron Merriman last year.
Conrad photo
I Found My Beach set a new track record for 4-year-old pacing geldings.
“I like him a lot,” said Noble. “He’s a very easy horse to get along with, easy going and does everything you ask. We just wanted to leave and get to the front and just keep going forward.
“It’s the second time I’ve driven him, he’s a consistent horse week to week and seems to take care of himself.”
The gelding has won six races in a row since the Levy series at Yonkers, taking races at The Meadows, Hoosier Park and Scioto. Those six wins have earned him $53,000 in 2-1/2 months, boosting his lifetime earnings to $468,588.
I Found My Beach is by Mach Three out of the Stand Forever mare Ohio Annie. Bred by New Albany, Ohio, resident Robert Kauffman, the horse made his way up to Canada with part owner and trainer Robert McIntosh. The mare didn’t make much on the track but this first foal of hers has set a high precedent for her future foals. Herres Stables LLC of Bellbrook, Ohio, bought I Found My Beach in January of this year and put him in the care of trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr., who sent him east, first to The Meadows then Yonkers for the Levy series.
Noble and Morgan have been a dominant force at Scioto so far this year. Noble was sitting second in the driver standings through June 10 with 40 wins in 210 starts; leading driver Tony Hall had 45 wins in 209 starts. Morgan had 31 wins in 89 starts for a .464 UTR. The next closest trainer in terms of wins is local trainer Jim Arledge, Jr. with 11 in 82 starts.
“We make a good team,” said Noble of his partnership with Morgan. “I try to drive everything he’s got as long as my own horses aren’t in the same race. It’s been a little tough with that. He’s the number one trainer I drive for.”
Racing will continue next week, Wednesday through Saturday, with a 6:30 p.m. post time.