Bentornato Looking for First 2024 Win in Gallant Bob

Bentornato , making simply his second begin for the reason that Feb. 24 Saudi Derby (G3), appears to be like for his first win of the yr within the Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing. 

The son of Valiant Minister   completed 1 1/2 lengths again in second within the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Hollywood On line casino at Charles City Races Aug. 23. Previous to that, the colt was a distant third within the Saudi Derby.

These races had been at seven and eight furlongs, respectively. Now he cuts again in distance—the Gallant Bob is run over six furlongs. At that distance, the colt has had success. The Jose Francisco D’Angelo trainee gained twice at Gulfstream Park final yr. He took the Proud Man Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths, adopted by a 7 1/2-length romp in opposition to different Florida-bred colts and geldings within the Dr. Fager Stakes.

Bentornato usually is not a front-runner; solely as soon as has he gone gate to wire. Even in his spectacular Dr. Fager triumph, he needed to overcome a challenger earlier than pulling away. The important thing for him is staying near the entrance and discovering the proper alternatives. 

With Irad Ortiz Jr., the top-earning jockey in North America this yr within the irons for the second consecutive race, Bentornato is in good palms. Ortiz gained this race aboard Firenze Fireplace in 2018.

Coach Saffie Joseph Jr. brings a pair of Florida-bred colts, of which there are 5 within the discipline of eight, to problem for the $400,000 purse. 

Daniel Alonso’s One Sharp Cookie  hasn’t completed worse than third (3-2-2 from seven begins) since his maiden journey final November. He is gained two in a row and three of 4. He is had just one begin at six furlongs, his maiden through which he pale down the stretch. Maybe expertise, a brand new monitor—he is run solely at Gulfstream—and Mike Smith within the irons will show advantageous. 

Joseph’s different trainee is Virtually Darkish , a Sensible Joke   gelding who hopes to bounce again after being a non-factor within the Salvatore M. DeBunda Dash Stakes, which was run over 6 1/2 furlongs at Parx Aug. 24. The one-two finishers in that race, Buccherino  and Maximus Meridius , return to the Parx dust Saturday. 

Buccherino went gate-to-wire within the DeBunda, outclassing the sector by greater than six lengths. He is excellent at Parx, going 3-for-3. The son of Bucchero   broke his maiden there and opened his 3-year-old marketing campaign with an allowance win. Coach Alfredo Velazquez hopes the Gallant Bob will get the colt owned by Completely happy Tenth Secure his first win on the distance after 4 earlier makes an attempt.