BY BROCK SHERIDAN
While the Grade 2 Gallant Bob is conducted at Parx Racing in Bensalem Township in Pennsylvania, the history of the race is replete with winners bred in the Florida. Rocky Knave in 1985 was the first of 10 Florida-breds to take the sprint contest while Damon’s Mound last year was the most recent. Others include Firenze Fire in 2018, City of Weston (2013), Royal Currier (2011), Pashito the Che (2009), Abbodanza (2004), Thunderello (2002), Sea of Green (2001) and Valid Trefaire (1999).
Florida Thoroughbred breeders will again be well represented in the $400,000 Gallant Bob Saturday with five Florida-breds among of the eight contenders, 3-years-old and older, set to go six furlongs.
The Florida contingent is led by 9-5 morning line favorite Bentornato, the reliable son of Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister who has never finished out of the money in seven lifetime starts.
Trained by Jose D’Angelo, Bentornato looks in strong form as he makes his second start off a six-month layoff after finishing second in the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial going seven furlongs at Charles Town on Aug. 23. Bentornato led for the first quarter mile in the Hilton before relinquishing the lead to stakes-winner Tapalo out of the first turn. He battled back to take the lead while four-wide in the second turn then fought down the stretch before surrendering to eventual winner Valentine Candy.
That was his first start since making his sophomore debut at King Abulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh where he finished third in the $15 million Saudi Derby (G3) won by Japan’s Forever Young on Feb. 24.
Last year Bentornato won his first four career starts including the first two legs of the colts and geldings division of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He dominated the $100,000 Dr. Fager, winning by seven-and-a-half lengths going six furlongs in September, then took the $200,000 Affirmed by nearly three lengths going seven furlongs in October. He suffered his first loss when third to Seminole Chief in the $300,000 In Reality at a mile-and-sixteenth on Dec. 2.
Bentornato is out of Her Special Way, by Put it Back and was bred in Florida by Tanma Corp. He was purchased out of the Golden Rock Thoroughbreds consignment by Champion Equine for $170,000 at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale. He also went through the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale where Pro Racing selected him out of the Stuart Morris consignment for $45,000.
He has earned $560,830 in seven starts for owner Leon King Stable Corp.
Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Bentornato from post one.
Happy Tenth Stable’s Florida-bred Buccherino is the 4-1 second choice on the morning line and looks for his second consecutive stakes win at Parx.
The Aflredo Velazuez trained son of Bucchero was an impressive six-and-quarter-length winner of the $75,000 Salvatore M. DeBunda Sprint on Aug. 24, defeating Gallant Bob entrants Maximus Meridius, Sunny Breeze and Practically Dark, who were second, third and fourth respectively.
Buccherino will break from post three with Jose Lezcano aboard.
Sunny Breeze, Practically Dark and One Sharp Cookie, a winner of two straight first level optional claiming races at Gulfstream, complete the Florida-bred contingent.
Sunny Breeze will be ridden by Jaime Rodriguez from post four while Flavien Prat takes the call on Practically Dark from post six. One Sharp Cookie has Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith from post seven.
Completing the field are Awesome Ruta and jockey Paco Lopez and Alwaysintomischief will have Luan Machado in the irons.
