Noholdingback Bear wins Tom Ridge Stakes

Woodbine shipper Noholdingback Bear picked up his second straight stakes victory with a front-running score as the favorite in Monday night’s $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds at Presque Isle Downs.

Despite conceding seven to nine pounds to his seven rivals as the 123-pound highweight, Noholdingback Bear ($4.60) had no problems outrunning everybody in the six-furlong race on Tapeta.

Under Eurico Da Silva, Noholdingback Bear reeled off fractions of 22.14 and 45.18 seconds en route to completing the distance in a quick 1:08.16. He was hand ridden to the wire, finishing 2 1/2 lengths clear of another Woodbine-based colt, Holding Gold. It was another 6 1/2 lengths back to Don’t Be So Salty, the 9-5 second choice who had to steady after passing the half-mile pole, recovered, but tired in the lane.

A son of Put It Back trained by Mike De Paulo for Bear Stables, Noholdingback Bear is now 3 for 7 lifetime with earnings of $207,545. He was second in the Grade 3 Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park in his season debut and most recently won the $125,000 Woodstock at Woodbine.