OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Expectations were sky-high, and meeting them was no small feat. However, Nooni, the star of the 2024 March Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, is already proving worthy of her $1.8 million price tag.

Bred by Ocala Stud, Nooni was given a strong early foundation under the guidance of trainer George Burrows, who fostered her emerging professionalism.

The filly, sired by Win Win Win—who stands at stud at Ocala Stud—was purchased at the OBS March Sale by Amr Zedan’s Zedan Racing. She’s trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, with jockey Favien Prat set to ride her on Nov. 1.

Nooni will compete in the $2 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at California’s Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, with post time set for 6:25 p.m. The race will air on the USA Network and stream on Peacock, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

“We’re excited to watch her run, she’s been very impressive,” said David O’Farrell, owner/manager of Ocala Stud.

The bay filly will need to adjust her running style on Friday as she takes on a one and one-sixteenth mile race, the longest distance she’s faced so far.

“She started out sprinting; now she’s trying to stretch out,” said O’Farrell. “Her pedigree suggested that it should be within her capabilities. We’ll soon find out. She’s doing really well, and I think it’s shaping up to be a great race. We hope she runs her best.”

Nooni won her first two races, including the Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar this past August. In her most recent start, she secured a second-place finish in the Oak Leaf Stakes presented by Oak Tree at Santa Anita.

The bay filly exemplifies the quality of Florida-bred horses, showcasing the expertise and impact Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association’s role in establishing the state as a premier location to breed, raise, train, and sell top-class horses, while underscoring Ocala Stud’s legacy as a premier breeding operation.

“We own [Unanimity] with partners,” said O’Farrell. “It’s a homebred through and through, by a first crop stallion, Win Win Win, so it helps us on so many levels. Hopefully, she can go onto bigger and better things.”

Here are the other Florida-breds participating in this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships:

  • Arthur’s Ride in the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic
  • Bentornato and Federal Judge in the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint
  • Cagliostro in the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile