Noble Indy was part of a blistering early and middle pace, was passed in the homestretch, but somehow came back to win the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Noble Indy edged Lone Sailor by a neck, with My Boy Jack another half-length back in third. The one-two finishers in the Risen Star Stakes last month at Fair Grounds, Bravazo and Snapper Sinclair, were non-factors Saturday.

Noble Indy, trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable and WinStar Farm, was fitted with blinkers for the first time in a race Saturday, and after breaking sharply he raced too aggressively into the first turn under John Velazquez. Velazquez settled his mount enough to let the maiden Marmello lead through a quarter-mile in a sizzling 22.97 seconds, but he was close to that fraction as well as a half-mile in a demanding 46.61 seconds.

The race was setting up for closers, and first Lone Sailor, and then My Boy Jack, the latter moving very sharply into the homestretch, seemed destined for victory. But down along the rail Noble Indy was staying on, and as the two closers lost momentum, he surged back to the front and took the victory.

Noble Indy, by Take Charge Indy, paid $7.40 to win and was timed in 1:50.28 for 1 1/8 miles on a fast track. He earned 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, while Lone Sailor got 40, enough to make the field, My Boy Jack 20, and fourth-place Givemeaminit 10.

A full recap coming soon at drf.com.