Coal Front digs in to win Gallant Bob

Coal Front returned to a familiar place Saturday – the winner’s circle – after he fought off a charging American Pastime to capture the Grade 3, $300,000 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing. The win was the fourth in five career starts for Coal Front.

The Gallant Bob was for 3-year-olds over six furlongs. It was one of the undercard stakes supporting the Pennsylvania Derby.

Coal Front ($3.60) withstood pace pressure early from Aquamarine, leading through an opening quarter in 22.21 seconds. Coal Front continued to set the pace through a half-mile in 45.21 as American Pastime made a strong advance three wide on the turn. In the stretch, American Pastime got to Coal Front, but the winner found more and proved a half-length best, covering the distance on a fast track in 1:08.94.

“At the quarter pole, I didn't know,” said John Velazquez, who rode Coal Front for trainer Todd Pletcher. “His ears went up, and I and said, ‘Let’s go, guy.’ Then he really dug in.”

It was 5 1/2 lengths farther back to third-place Petrov, who was coupled in the wagering with Coal Front.

Coal Front won the first three starts of his career, including the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga, before finishing fifth in the track’s Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.

“We'll just have to draw a line through that last race,” Velazquez said. “He just wasn't himself that day."

Coal Front rebounded in a big way in the Gallant Bob, and the first-place check of $180,000 boosted his career earnings to $411,000. He is a son of Stay Thirsty who races for the partnership of Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners.

Head of Plains Partners also is a co-owner of Petrov, trained by Ron Moquett.

– additional reporting by Jim Dunleavy