Gallant Bob Stakes (Grade 2)- $300.000 Purse
PRX- For Three Year Olds
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
September 21, 2019
Heading into the Gallant Bob Stakes, Cucamonga was a horse that was working really well, and did seem poised to get a big result here. After winning an ungraded stake in his prior start, he was ready to take that next step, and when given this chance, he made that step in impressive fashion and earned that big victory. What may be next is uncertain for this Pink Panther colt, though the BC Sprint would seem to be a good choice. In this victory, Cucamonga tied the stake record of 1:08.98, a time that would have had him dead heat with last years winner, Lg The Menace. The proud winning trainer is Tiratzo, who scores his first career win in the race, and that is also true for the jockey, M J Sanchez. Let’s take a look at it!
(1/4 Mile- :22.31)- Aggravating gets off to a good start, using hte outside push to get him to the front for Sharis Stables. Running with him to the inside would be Black Scorpion, the John Henry entry who was our pick to win. After a length and a half, Asgar’s So Profound is the leader of the next pack by a head, with D J C Racing Stables’ Sharp Azteca to his outside. On his inside, we have our eventual race winner, Cucamonga, almost three lengths off the lead for Tiratzo. To his inside, is a horse he would see at the wire as well, as the eventual runner up and post-time favorite, Fahrenheit, out of Mb Stables was riding the rail comfortably. Fire N Fury, from D J C Racing Stables was nearby to this pack. Trailing were Prince Charlemagne (John Henry), Black Flags (La Canada Racehorses), and the big longshot, Strawberry Hill (Night Rider Stables).
(½ Mile- :44.94, Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Completing the backstretch run, and moving into the turn, both Aggravating and Black Scorpion are running hard and keeping on a pretty strong pace. However, as they approach the exit of the turn, they hear the hoofsteps behind them getting louder. They were four wide behind them, with the group still consisting of Cucamonga, Fahreheit, So Profound, and Sharp Azteca. They kept pace with each other for a little while until both Cucamonga and Fahrenheit separated themselves from the group and each prepared to pass the leaders at the top of the stretch. A little further back, at one point it was looking like Fire N Fury was dropping back a little, but what he must have really been doing was saving up for the stretch, because he began to push forward on exit of the turn. Prince Charlemagne was showing interest and looking for a lane here. Black Flags was still to his inside. Only Strawberry Hill seemed to be out of it.
(Finish- 1:08.98)- Once both Cucamonga and Fahrenheit passed the two pacesetters they know had only each other to contend with, at least for most of the stretch. They matched strides and had an entertaining battle. They needed to have that, because in the late moments, we would have a valiant bid coming from Fire N Fury. At the wire, Cucamonga would prevail by a neck over Fahrenheit, and Fire N Fury running out of time and settling for third. Black Scorpion held on enough to get a fourth place check. On the far outside, it’s So Profound in fifth, a spot ahead of the other pacesetter, Aggravating. Black Flags ran well late but ran out of time. Prince Charlemagne, Strawberry Hill and Sharp Azteca round it out.
About The Winner- Cucamonga, trained by Tiratzo, and ridden to victory by M J Sanchez, is a three year old by Pink Panther, and is out of Country Hardball. He was bred in Ontario as a yearling by Axeman, and acquired in private sales by Tiratzo after just one race for $200.000 in April 2018. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fourth in 12 starts, his second stake win, and first graded win. His career earnings are now $352.300.
Track: Fast
Time: :221 :444 :564 1:084
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 2 – 1 Paid 19.30
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 1 – 3 Paid 478.50
Scratched: Salar de Uyuni
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
