Contention runs deep in Gallant Bob
Limousine Liberal was part of one of the most talked-about races during Saratoga, and for his runner-up effort in the King’s Bishop, he figures to be favored Saturday in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing.
But the race is a deep one. Limousine Liberal will have to defeat Hebbronville, who is seeking his fourth straight win, as well as Grade 3 winners Grand Bili and Recount and multiple stakes winners Bayerd and Catalina Red.
The Gallant Bob, for 3-year-olds at six furlongs, is one of three undercard stakes supporting the Pennsylvania Derby and the Cotillion. The $150,000 Bayern matches invader Freestyler and the locally based Market Blaster, while Pennsylvania-breds turned out in force with a field of 12 set for the $100,000 Alphabet Soup Handicap.
Limousine Liberal ran the race of his young career in the King’s Bishop on Aug. 29, when second to Runhappy. Limousine Liberal was 15-1, and for his effort in the Grade 1 race, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 104. It’s the best career number in the Gallant Bob.
“We were thrilled with his effort,” said Ben Colebrook, who trains Limousine Liberal for Katherine G. Ball. “He was chasing Runhappy, who seems to be a bit of a freak, and I kind of thought at one place, for a brief second, we might get to Runhappy and have a chance. But Runhappy rebroke.”
Colebrook’s thoughts then turned to holding second, and he said he was pleased that Limousine Liberal did so over a quality rival in Holy Boss. The Gallant Bob will be the fourth career start for Limousine Liberal.
“Our biggest concern is running back in three weeks,” said Colebrook. “We decided to because he’s been training so well; the race definitely didn’t knock him out. Another thing is most of the horses are doing the same thing. Hebbronville and Bayerd ran in the prep, and Grand Bili was in the King’s Bishop. Everyone’s kind of in the same boat. And he’s such a lightly raced horse, and he carries plenty of conditioning.”
Limousine Liberal will be backing up from seven furlongs when he breaks from post 3.
“He’s obviously a very fast horse,” Colebrook said. “He can be on the lead, but it looks like there’s some other speed horses in the race, so I would anticipate him being just off the pace. But I’ll leave that up to Irad Ortiz.”
Hebbronville’s streak includes a win in the Grade 3 Jersey Shore at Monmouth. He has never been beaten at Parx. Joe Bravo has the mount for trainer Lynn Whiting.
◗ Freestyler meets Market Blaster in the Bayern, a 1 1/16-race for 3-year-olds and up that also drew Street Babe, multiple stakes winner Ground Transport, and the capable Encryption.
Freestyler enters off a half-length win in an Aug. 29 allowance route at Parx. It was his sixth win on the year and his fifth in his last six starts.
“He ran a big race, and he’s 2 for 2 at Parx,” said Bruce Alexander, who trains Freestyler for Michael Rosen. “He’s as game as they come. He has a tremendous will to win. He seems to be mentally, physically in that zone. How long can he keep it? We’ll find out. I like the way the race sets up on paper. He’s got a good post.”
Freestyler will break from post 2 under Daniel Centeno.
Market Blaster popped a Beyer of 102 last out when winning an optional $40,000 claiming race at Parx on Aug. 30.
“He really ran a strong race,” said Ed Coletti Jr., who trains for David Kornhauser. “He was training really good going into it, and he excelled the way we were hoping. His whole family is a strong family. The dam throws a lot of runners, a lot of winners, and most of the foals are black type. It was one of the reasons why we claimed him.”
Market Blaster will break from post 6.
“I think we’re going to be real close to the pace or on the lead,” said Coletti.