Noholdingback Bear nears return

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Noholdingback Bear, who defeated Mind Your Biscuits in the Gallant Bob at Parx Racing during the fall of their 3-year-old campaigns, continues to progress toward his 2018 debut after working an easy five furlongs in 59.94 seconds over a muddy track Friday. The move was the sixth, and second at five panels, for Noholdingback Bear since he returned to training earlier this winter.

Noholdingback Bear, who has not started since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Highlander over the Woodbine turf course in July, was equipped with blinkers for the first time in his work Friday.

◗ Next Saturday’s 13-race card will really be a mini Claiming Crown composed entirely of starter-allowance stakes worth $680,000 in purses. Among the notable nominees are a couple of ageless veterans, Page McKenney, who is eligible for both the 1 1/16-mile Old Hickory and Old Man Eloquent, along with Delta Bluesman in the 6 1/2-furlong Rail Splitter.