Robert N. Clay's 3-year-old colt Medallist rebounded from a fifth place finish in the Fall Highweight (gr. III) last month to win the $100,000 Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap at Calder Race Course Saturday. Jockey Jose Santos was the winning rider for trainer Allen Jerkens. "We've pointed him for this race since we got to Florida," Jerkens said. "I was disappointed with his last race ... he just didn't finish. The track was different that day, though. He didn't like the mud."Medallist won the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park in July. Santos placed Medallist on the outside of early frontrunner Weigelia in the first part of the seven-furlong race. Approaching the three-eighths pole, Medallist was asked for his run and he easily took command. Racing down the stretch, he drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths over Paradise Dancer. Hasty Kris, who won the Kenny Noe last year, finished third. Medallist covered the seven panels in 1:22 3/5, setting the stakes record. The previous record was 1:22 4/5 set in 2000 by Miner's Gamble. He earned $60,000 for the win, pushing his career bankroll to $291,375. The son of Touch Gold has a 4-1-1 record in 10 starts."Between seven-eighths and a mile, he's one of the best horses there is right now," Santos said. "He showed it today. He showed natural speed. What can I say? Jerkens is the best with this kind of horse. He won pretty easily." Medallist paid $11.20, 6.80 and 6.40. Paradise Dancer returned $30.20 and 12.80 to place, while Hasty Kris paid $4.40 to show.
(Chart, Equibase)
