Gallant Bob Stakes (Grade 3)- $300.000 Purse
PRX- For Three Year Olds
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
September 24, 2016

Kremlin didn’t have the biggest resume of the those running in the Gallant Bob Stakes, and it might have seemed like everything was going to go the way of Ferro here.  That would not be the case, and perhaps the betting public here knew something about him as he was not even the favorite for the race. Leave it to our komrade from Maxmillion Farm, as this three year old gelding by Farley Farley Farley was the most gallant of them all in the Gallant Bob.   It was his first graded stake, and he does what he needed to do.  Overall, that’s now four wins in seven starts for Kremlin, who look to build on this even further.   The trainer earns his second win in the stake, having also done so in 2012 with Space Ghost.  Jockey R J Albarado also wins for the second time, with the previous victory being in 2011 with Skyline Drive.  Congratulations! The time of the victory was 1:09.10, making it the second quickest race in the history of the stake.  Here’s a deeper look!

1st- 6- Kremlin (7/2)- Today’s eventual winner from Maxmillion Farm broke well out of the gate, and battled Hannibal Lecter and Ferro to see who would claim the early lead.   He was officially second at the quarter pole, making us unable to say he wired the field, but he was within a half length from the leader, and soon took the lead prior to advancing into the turn.  As Hannibal Lecter called it a day, his biggest challenger remained Ferro to his outside, and he was giving him all that he could handle.  On exit of the turn, he began to inch away from Ferro, and with a furlong to go, he seemed to be in pretty good shape.  The even money favorite Fly Millennium still had about two lengths to go.  In the final half furlong, he began to drift out slightly, and the approach of Fly Millennium was becoming a serious threat.  However in the end, the Kremlin slammed its door shut on anyone else.  He wins by half a length, scoring the biggest win of his career.  The time again was 1:09.10.  Kremlin is a three year old gelding by Farley Farley Farley (guess his sire), and out of Red Monet (Red Rioja line).  He was bred in Califonia by Waldo as a third quarter two year old.  He was acquired by Maxmillion Farm, via Lanfranco Stable for $50.000 in private sales this May.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 2- Fly Millennium (1/1)- The post time favorite from John Henry got off to an average start, but this put him in the fifth position overall, and about three lengths from the leaders as they approached the turn. Maintained a steady stride in the turn, but only advanced somewhat at this stage of the length.  With two lengths to make up at the top of the stretch, he moved to the outside of Bold Viper and prepared for the stretch charge as all the people in the stands with win wagers on this unexpected even money favorite began to scream.  In the stretch, he ran well, especially in the final half furlong.  That’s where he made his best progress on Kremlin, but in the end it just gets a second place check for the trainer.

3rd- 1- Bold Viper (18/1)- Did not contest the lead early, but the Night Rider Stables entry tucked himself in behind the top threesome, and stalked them down the backstretch while along the rail. He got held up a little bit when Hannibal Lecter suddenly ran out of gas, and had to move off the rail to compensate. He’d be two lengths back at the top of the stretch with Fly Millennium by his side.  Matched strides with Fly Millennium for as long as he could, but as they got closer to the wire, his rival just seemed a little better.  Not a bad result for this one, though.

4th- 3- Grand Slam Hero (3/1)- The Mb Stables entry got off to a decent start, stalking the leaders while seemingly eyeing a potential opening between Kremlin and Ferro.  As those two both handled the turn well, Grand Slam Hero instead had to move to the outside of Ferro, this putting himself five or six wide around the turn.  Once in this lane, he did all he could with it, making some progress on Kremlin, but Bold Viper and Fly Millennium, who each had more friendly inside trips, would prevail over him in a tight photo for second.

5th- 7- Ferro (5/1)- Good out of the gate initially for Team 7 Illusions, battling with Kremlin and Hannibal Lecter for the top spot down the backstretch.  As Kremlin emerged with the lead in the turn, Ferro tried to hang with him, but started to lose this battle as they moved into the stretch. In the stretch, he was not bad, he was simply outkicked.  Possibly extended too much energy early.

6th- 5- Buffalo Phooey (50/1)- Went right to the back for Luz International, having no interest in the early pace.  He was four lengths out of it as they entered the turn, and when it was time for this would-be closer to start advancing, he never did, and was still four lengths out at the top of the stretch.  He would only gain a length in the stretch.

7th- 4- Hannibal Lecter (82/1)- Started much better then he would finish for D J C Racing Stables, getting out on the lead early and actually being the one to set the opening quarter time in :22.68. Ran poorly in the turn, and it was all downhill from there.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45¹  :56⁴  1:09

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 2 Paid 10.30
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 2 – 1 Paid 52.00

Scratched: Treaclefeet

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES