King Jack tops California exacta in Gallant Bob Stakes

BENSALEM, Pa. – King Jack made it 3 for 3 in one turn races as he rebounded from his lone career loss by recording a 1 1/2-length victory over fellow California shipper Landeskog in Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx.

Landeskog, who pressed the pacesetting Strong Will through legitimate early fractions, finished second by 12 lengths over Trophy Chaser. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to Strong Will. Bulletin, War Bridle, and War Tocsin completed the order of finish.

The start of the race was delayed a few minutes after Bethlehem Road and Get Hammered both flipped in the paddock and were ordered scratched by the stewards.

King Jack, a son of Jimmy Creed trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, had won his first two starts in sprints in Southern California. He stretched out to a two-turn mile in the Shared Belief Stakes but finished second to Improbable.

Saturday, he cut back to six furlongs, got an ideal setup and a patient ride from Joel Rosario, and returned to the winner’s circle.

Rosario had King Jack in third while Strong Will ran an opening quarter of 21.99 seconds stalked by Landeskog, under Abel Cedillo. Landeskog struck the front approaching the top of the stretch and had a two-length lead after a half-mile was run in 44.60 seconds.

Rosario had King Jack follow Landeskog and he gradually wore that one down inside the sixteenth pole.

“I tried not to be too wide on the turn,” Rosario said. “He was handling everything nice, he was just enjoying his work. When I started riding him, he just kept going forward.”

King Jack, owned by Michael Stinson, covered the six furlongs in 1:08.89 and returned $4.80 as the 7-5 favorite.

“We thought the six furlongs would fit this horse very well and it seemed like it did,” Hollendorfer said. “It looked like we had a lot of horse down the backside and that proved to be true.”

King Jack was scheduled to return to Southern California on Sunday. Plans for his next race will be determined at a later date.

“This horse could end up anywhere,” Hollendorfer said.