Ribo Bobo Seeks Gold in Mr. Prospector

Multiple stakes winner Ribo Bobo is at it again as he goes for his eighth stakes victory in this Sunday’s $75,000 Mr. Prospector.

A 6-year-old gelding by Louis Quatorze out of Private Prom Party, Ribo Bobo is coming off of a win in Monmouth’s Decathlon Stakes, where he bested the field by a length and a half after sprinting six furlongs in 1:09 1/5. That stakes victory was nothing new for Ribo Bobo, who has won 10 of his last 12 races, six of which were stakes contests.

“He doesn’t need a track,” trainer Jason Servis said. “He’s done well everywhere he goes. He’s a real tough horse.”

A Mr. Amore Stables color bearer, Ribo Bobo will look to add to his career lifetime earnings of $774,655 on Sunday, as he and five rivals race six furlongs on Monmouth’s main track. Ribo Bobo, the 9-5 morning line favorite, will face strong competition in stakes winners Evolution Rocks and Partyallnightlong, who are both installed at 3-1.

Although Ribo Bobo is generally near the pace, Servis does not believe that he needs to be in front in order to win.

“He doesn’t have to be on the lead,” said Servis. “His best race [referring to last year’s Icecapade Stakes on Sept. 2] he laid third. He’s better if you can let him settle in. He always breaks so fast that he puts himself in the mix early, but I’d rather see him settle in.”

Ribo Bobo will break from the rail in the Mr. Prospector with Monmouth Park’s leading jockey Paco Lopez aboard. Notwithstanding his horse’s recent success, Servis is still somewhat concerned about breaking from the inside.

“Of all the posts I didn’t want the one,” Servis said, “but that’s kind of the hand I’m dealt with.”

The Mr. Prospector will go as race 11 on Sunday’s 12-race card.