Lucy’s Bob Boy takes Fred Gall Memorial

Lucy’s Bob Boy established himself as the favorite for the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic with a front-running, three-length score in the local prep for the $500,000 race, the $51,150 Frank Gall Memorial Stakes on Saturday night at Charles Town.

Racing on a sealed, muddy track, the 5-year-old Lucy’s Bob Boy ($3.40) completed seven furlongs in 1:24.97 in winning for the 19th time in 28 career starts. Arnaldo Bocachica was aboard for trainer Sandra Dono and owner Michael Farr.

Lucy’s Bob Boy won the 1 1/8-mile Classic in 2012 by eight lengths but was a badly beaten ninth in last year’s race as the odds-on favorite. This year’s Classic will be run Oct. 16.

Two-time Classic winner Russell Road tracked Lucy’s Bob Boy in second throughout the Gall and finished willingly, 1 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Allegheny Jack. Last year’s Classic champion, Fred High, raced three wide throughout the Gall and finished last of five without ever threatening.