AMERICAN TURF S. (gr. II ), Churchill Downs , May 03, 2013 , $200,000 Added , value of race $234,200 , 3 yo , 1 1/16 miles , 1:41.63 Turf FM .

Owner Martin Schwartz went against the grain of his normal philosophy when he bought a three-quarters share in American Turf Stakes (gr. IIT) winner Noble Tune last year from breeder Dell Ridge Farm.

“I don’t buy colts ever, so I had to get special permission from my wife,” said Schwartz, who was impressed by the way the son of Unbridled’s Song easily had won his career debut at Saratoga Race Course by 31/2 lengths last September.

“The horse had a spectacular run,” added Schwartz, a Florida-based Wall Street trader who campaigned 2012 grade I winners Samitar and Zagora. “I usually only buy fillies, but this one was worth his weight in gold. He’s spectacular.”

Schwartz’ initial impressions of Noble Tune were re-affirmed when the dark bay or brown colt, benefiting from a ground-saving trip under jockey Javier Castellano, rocketed to the front in upper stretch and cruised to a 13/4-length victory over Admiral Kitten in the May 3 American Turf. Trained by Chad Brown, Noble Tune covered the 11/16 miles on a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:41.63.

Noble Tune has now won four of his five career starts, for earnings of $473,422. The colt also captured the 2012 Pilgrim Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Belmont Park prior to a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park.

Noble Tune was consigned to the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, but he failed to meet his reserve when the bidding stopped at $300,000.

Dell Ridge, located near Lexington and owned by the Justice family, bred Noble Tune in Kentucky from the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Serena’s Cat.

The farm purchased Serena’s Cat as a weanling for $1.4 million at the 2003 Keeneland November mixed sale from Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent. The mare is a daughter of the stakes-winning Mr. Prospector mare Serena’s Tune and a granddaughter of the 1995 United States champion 3-year-old filly Serena’s Song. Serena’s Tune is a half sister to four group/graded winners, including English group I victor Sophisticat.

Noble Tune is the first foal and starter out of Serena’s Cat, whose youngest offspring, a Tapit colt, was born March 18.

Unbridled’s Song is the sire of 100 stakes winners. Among the son of Unbridled’s five black-type winners of 2013 is grade I victor Graydar. Unbridled’s Song stands for $60,000 at the Taylor family’s Taylor Made Stallions near Nicholasville, Ky.—E.M.