Gallant Bob Stakes (Grade 3)- $300.000 Purse
PRX- For Three Year Olds
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
September 24, 2016
A field of seven will go to post in one of the races on our PA Derby undercard this Saturday at PRX, the 10th running of the Grade 3 Gallant Bob Stakes. This is a chance for three year olds to stay with their age group instead showing up the elders in other races. It is only the fourth time that this race runs with a graded designation. There’s been many strong winners of this, with earnings in the $800.000- $900.000 ranges, but none of them top Unlv Running Rebel, who was a co-winner in 2010. No trainer or jockey has won the race more then once. The race draws the likes of Ferro, who returns to the race track for the first time since winning the Grade 1 Crosby. If Ferro did win, it would be two in a row for trainer Team 7 Illusions. He’s the headliner, but there are others, with strong credentials as well. Let’s meet the field.
#1- Bold Viper (Night Rider Stables, ridden by S X Bridgmohan)- Started the year of running in some very cheap claiming races, but never had someone that wanted to pick him up, even as he was winning them. After a couple wins in that type of event, he won a starter allowance, and then was a good second in an allowance at CD. The Grade 3 Jersey Shore was attempted earlier this summer as well, and he was fifth there. It’s hard to really tell where Bold Viper all of the sudden got better, and perhaps he is a good piece of evidence for those who complain about the class structure here. His win in his last start, a SAR starter allowance, shows that he can take on any level of competition.
#2- Fly Millennium (John Henry, ridden by R Bejarano)- Since being purchased for $600.000 from Blushing Meadows, the best that Fly Millennium has done for John Henry was a second place run in the BEL Sprint Championship. Almost two months later, he ran in the Grade 1 Forego, which was won in a nearly identical time, and finished 13th. Oh yeah, 13th, and just three lengths from the winner. It’s a much smaller field this time, and with an inside position, if it’s a good trip he needs, he should be able to get it.
#3- Grand Slam Hero (Mb Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- In his young career, Grand Slam Hero has won every other race that he has been in, so that would make him due for one here in his eighth start. He has been best when running against NY-breds, and scored a couple of stake wins against them, the $100.000 Times Square and the Morrissey. Most recently, he had a competitive run when challenging some of the best in the game at the Grade 1 Kings Bishop. He’s due to hit one out of the park at this level, and this a good test.
#4- Hannibal Lecter (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by P Lopez)– Not surprisingly, he is by Mr Creepy, and is making his graded stake debut in this race. It will take more then the intimidating name though to be a force in this field, but he has paid his dues. He’s won two of three, and I like the effort that he is coming in here off of, an optional claiming race at SAR. If Ferro runs his type of race, I don’t think Hannibal Lecter can take him down but he may be a longshot worth watching. He likes it when it rains, just a little bit.
#5- Buffalo Phooey (Luz International, ridden by J S Rocco Jr)- The gelding has won four of ten so far, and has always finished in a top four position. The Gallant Bob will mark his second attempt at the graded level, as he ran fourth in the Grade 3 Jersey Shore, that’s one spot ahead of Bold Viper, in that race. Work times are looking good, and this one that seems ready to pick up their signature win. I have a pretty good feeling about him. If Ferro has an off day, he may be the one to pull it out.
#6- Kremlin (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by R J Albarado)- Picked up by Maxmillion Farm in private sales for $50.000 in May, and has since gone on to win once in three starts. Not too long after the sale, he was sent to the $100.000 Lang Stakes, but was not able to beat any of his rivals. He’s run well at the optional claiming level, but this is a tough step up. Maybe, if Ferro wasn’t here, I could see it, but otherwise, he’s probably just running to get in the top three.
#7- Ferro (Team 7 Illusions, ridden by D Moran)- Every way you slice it, things come up roses for Ferro as we look at the race. The biggest highlight is that he is coming off a win in the Grade 1 Crosby out at DMR, beating many top horses in the game. He is also quite well rested for this race, and his works are consistent with that they have always been. Now, sure, others have stronger works, but that only goes to show that Ferro is a horse that knows how to turn it up a notch on race day, and I expect that out of him. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s a horse from Team 7, wearing #7. Or, it’s a Crosby winner, in Pennsylvania. Ok, wrong side of the state for that hockey slant, but they have owned Philly, right? All the signs are there, folks.
Prediction: 7-5-2-3
— NS
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
