Reid might take a shot at Gallant Bob with Mailata
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Mailata cut back in distance and got back to his winning ways on Tuesday at Parx Racing, earning his third stakes victory in the $75,000 PTHA President’s Sprint. Trainer Butch Reid said he would consider taking a chance in the Grade 2 Gallant Bob on Sept. 19.
“It’s right here at home,” Reid said. “We’ll keep an eye on everything and certainly nominate him all around and then make a decision from there.”
Reid entered three runners in the PTHA President’s Sprint’s field of six and hoped the race could help Mailata and his stablemate, Flyin Hawaiian, get back on track. Mailata was coming off two distant stakes defeats going longer, while Flyin Hawaiian had not run since November.
At the top of the stretch, it seemed like both 3-year-olds were doomed to minor prizes behind Unwritten Rule, but when the 6-5 favorite quit in midstretch, they both rallied to take first and second. Mailata earned a 66 Beyer Speed Figure, much lower than those he earned in his two stakes wins as a juvenile.
The Gallant Bob, a six-furlong stakes for 3-year-olds on the Pennsylvania Derby undercard, would be a big step up, but Reid said he will explore his options and has not ruled it out. He said he also could consider Flyin Hawaiian for the race.
“We got them both back on track in one shot, so it was a good day regarding those two,” Reid said.
Reid’s ultimate goal on Tuesday was for Ponder and Dream to win the $200,000 Smarty Jones, which could have led to a trip to the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. The heavily favored colt had to settle for second, however, losing the lead to improved colt Micanopy.
Instead of enthusiastically stepping up to Grade 1 company, Reid said he will have to carefully consider the next step for his Pennsylvania-bred. Ponder and Dream earned an 89 Beyer in defeat, which should keep his local options open.
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