NEW YORK (AP) — Noble Moon and Fierce Boots won stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday, the first major 3-year-old races of the season in New York.
Noble Moon, the 4-5 favorite, held off Classic Giacnroll by two lengths in the $200,000 Jerome. Irad Ortiz, Jr. was aboard for trainer Leah Gyarmati as Noble Moon got his second victory in three starts, paying $3.60 to win.
The time was 1:45.08 for a mile and 70 yards on the fast track.
With the victory, Noble Moon earned 10 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.
Fierce Boots, owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, scored a pacesetting 8-1 upset in the $100,000 Busanda for fillies. Her margin was also two lengths. Jose Ortiz was in the saddle for trainer Todd Pletcher.
She paid $19 to win, running the same distance in 1:46.62.
In winning for the second time in five races, Fierce Boots got 10 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks.
