Runninsonofagun should get fast pace he needs in Gallant Bob

Runninsonofagun battled top sprinters at Saratoga. The Gun Runner gelding seeks his first stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bob for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.

The Gallant Bob is one of two graded stakes for sprinters on Parx Racing’s Pennsylvania Derby program along with the Grade 3, $200,000 Turf Monster for 3-year-olds and upward at five furlongs on grass.

Claimed for $40,000 by trainer John Toscano Jr. out of a maiden victory at Aqueduct, Runninsonofagun immediately paid dividends, winning right back in a $50,000 starter race.

He then placed third in Belmont’s Gold Fever, 2 3/4 lengths behind Gallant Bob entrant Provocateur. Runninsonofagun stretched out to a mile for the Grade 3 Dwyer, and was a distant second to Charge It.

At Saratoga, Runninsonofagun ran third behind Grade 1 winner Gunite in the Grade 2 Amsterdam on July 31. Runninsonofagun then finished third again, beaten only four lengths by heavily favored Jack Christopher, in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. Runninsonofagun received a career-high 97 Beyer.

A late-running sort, he should receive a beneficial race flow behind a fast pace.

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Provocateur beat four of these in the Jersey Shore at Monmouth Park on Aug. 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher. Like Runninsonofagun, he is Grade 1-placed. He finished third, 11 3/4 lengths behind Jack Christopher, in the Woody Stephens on June 11.

Provocateur doesn’t mind racing inside horses and should get the jump on the closers from just off the lead.

Lightening Larry upset the Grade 3 Chick Lang on May 21 at Pimlico before finishing fifth as the Jersey Shore favorite.

“The horse stumbled at the break a little bit, and another horse stepped on him,” said trainer Jorge Delgado. “He ripped his front shoe and ran the race without a shoe.”

Lightening Larry will be forwardly placed.

Nakatomi overcame a slow start to win his 2022 debut, a second-level allowance on June 26. He scratched from the Jersey Shore.

“He hasn’t had an issue,” said trainer Wesley Ward. “I think so much of this horse and I’m trying to find the right spot. He’s ready to roll.”

Scaramouche is a Parx horse for course with five wins from six starts. He recently won an allowance on Aug. 23. “He ran a huge race,” said trainer Guadalupe Preciado. “We thought he’d be on the lead, but he broke bad and came from behind.”

Preciado mentioned concerns about the drawing the outside post in the 14-horse field as well as racing without Lasix. The only two times Scaramouche finished off the board came without Lasix.

Alottahope grabbed Laurel Park’s Star de Naskra by 15 lengths on July 30, then notched the Robert Hilton Memorial at Charles Town on Aug. 26.

“He just needs to get clear and get to the outside,” trainer Jerry Robb said. “Once he gets running room, he goes.”

Of a Revolution add blinkers after finishing second as the Hilton favorite. According to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., Of a Revolution wore blinkers for his last workout, a bullet half-mile.

Dance Code, Speaking, Little Vic, Jelly Nougat, No Sabe Nada, Witty, and Practical Coach complete the field.

Turf Monster

Trainer Jorge Duarte entered Nothing Better and Grooms All Bizness in the Turf Monster, but course condition might determine their status. Rain is expected Thursday afternoon.

“If it’s firm, probably Nothing Better will be the horse,” Duarte said. “If it looks like there’s some give, we’ll probably leave Grooms All Bizness in.”

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Nothing Better has won two of four starts this year, including the Rainbow Heir sprinting at Monmouth on Aug. 14. He recently placed second despite traffic trouble in the one-mile Red Bank on Sept. 5.

Grooms All Bizness is a lightly raced 3-year-old coming off a first-level allowance win at Monmouth on Aug. 13.

That’s Right and Surprise Boss faced top turf sprinter Big Invasion at Saratoga. The former improved greatly after switching surfaces. He won his first three races on grass, including the My Frenchman at Monmouth on July 17.

That’s Right finished sixth behind Big Invasion in the Mahony last month. He has speed and is expected to use it from the rail.

Surprise Boss, third in the Grade 3 Quick Call at Saratoga behind Big Invasion on July 17, was bumped at the start of the Mahony, failed to find his usual forward position, and finished an even fifth.

Smooth B received a 100 Beyer last month winning the off-turf Marshall Jenney. Although winless from 11 grass starts, trainer Butch Reid believes the veteran can factor on turf if it’s firm.

Uncle Ernie makes his turf debut for trainer John Servis. Never off the board, Uncle Ernie hasn’t raced since March 7, but shows several bullet workouts.

“I think he’ll run on anything,” Servis said. “The distance hits him right in the head because he’s pretty quick.”

Dr. Duke, Extreme Force, Boat’s a Rockin, War Tocsin, Breezy Gust, and Heros Reward also entered. West Fork is on the also-eligible list. Violent Turbulence and Vidal run main track only.

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