Noble Falcon favored in $150,000 Fialkow Invitational at Yonkers

August 06, 2008

Noble Falcon brings his five-race winning streak (all 1:50-or-better efforts) at the Meadowlands across the Hudson River Saturday night as the 3-1 morning-line choice in the $150,000 Frederick Fialkow Invitational Pace at Yonkers Raceway, the eighth race on the 13-race program.

Noble Falcon will be driven by Dave Palone from the outside post eight. The 4-year-old Nobleland Sam gelding, owned by Francis Azur and trained by Kevin McDermott, enters with a dozen victories in 28 seasonal starts ($233,486).

Western Smoocher (Stephane Bouchard, post 4), a .500 hitter (11-for-22) in '08, has won twice in his last three tries for Team Annunziata--owner Richard and trainer Ettore. The 4-year-old Western Ideal gelding has been competing almost exclusively against his own age group--either in Opens or claimers--since mid-March.

Western Ace (Jason Bartlett, post 5) has banked in excess of $130,000 this season, despite losing 18 of his 19 starts. The 5-year-old Western Ideal gelding, co-owned by (trainer) George Teague and Kovach Stables, is one of two career millionaires in the field, along with Kenneth J (Ron Pierce, post 7), the two-time New York Sire Stakes champion. The 4-year-old son of Bettor's Delight, trained by Linda Toscano for owner Ken Jacobs, has a second and a third to show for four '08 work days/nights.

Saturday's race is named for Fred Fialkow, who passed away this past May at age 76. Mr. Fialkow and and wife, Anita, have had one of the Raceway's most successful stables, with any number of talented performers. Their best horses have included Keystone Rodeo (life earnings $708,660), former George Morton Levy Series participant Eyes on Kassa ($592,525), Goin� to the Beach ($430,403), Percee Angus ($424,534) and Glen Mark Lucky ($423,789).

Friends of family of Fred Fialkow shall be in the winners' circle for the presentation.

The invitational field, with declared drivers and morning-line odds...1-Psilvuheartbreaker (Jim Meittinis, 6-1); 2-Western Ace (Jason Bartlett, 5-1); 3-Cheyenne Hollywood (Cat Manzi, 10-1); 4-Western Smoocher (Stephane Bouchard, 7-2); 5-Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras, 8-1); 6-All Over the Place (Dan Dube, 8-1); 7-Kenneth J (Ron Pierce, 12-1); 8-Noble Falcon (Dave Palone, 3-1). (Yonkers)

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