Coal Front refuses to lose in Gallant Bob

A sharp break, and enough endurance to hold off a late challenge from west coast shipper American Pastime was all Coal Front needed to win the Grade 3, $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes stopping the timer in 1:08.94 for six furlongs under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez and trainer Todd Pletcher.

“I thought Johnny did a great job breaking him out of the gate and getting him in good rhythm from the start and turn from home he dug in and hung on,” said Byron Hughes, assistant trainer for Todd Pletcher. “It was a good race.”

The colt by Stay Thirsty went immediately out to the lead while stablemate Petrov took back and stalked his lead from third down the backside. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano sat behind the quick pace of 22.21 for the first quarter while Coal Front remained in front at the three-eighths mark, and clocked 45.21 for the half mile.

Turning for home Aquamarine and jockey Luis Saez launched a bid, while Petrov kept his margin, but the anticipated showdown between American Pastime and Coal Front was quickly underway when Hall of Fame rider Kent Desormeaux came charging to the outside of Coal Front for a stretch duel to decide the winner.

It looked as if American Pastime, the second choice in betting behind the even money entry had the advantage with his late run, but Coal Front found another gear, and refused to be passed lasting to the wire by a 1/2 length margin to the wire. Petrov checked in for third 5 ½ lengths behind American Pastime, and it was 1 ¾ lengths back to Aquamarine who finished fourth.

Coal Front now owns four wins from five starts, and returned to the winners’ circle after his lackluster fifth place finish in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens at Saratoga disappointed his connections. Entering that race, Coal Front was undefeated through his first three topped by his victory in the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga.

Coal Front paid $3.60 for a $2 win bet.