BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Saturday’s Grade 2 Gallant Bob will feature a rematch of the top three finishers from the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial at Charles Town as Florida-bred Langvad, who was second in the August 28 test, will again face winner Bravaro and third-place finisher Ryan’s Run at Parx Racing. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained son of Ocala Stud stallion Awesome Slew will also get a chance in the Gallant Bob to avenge a fifth-place finish in the FHBPA Sophomore Sprint to fellow Florida-bred My Boy Star.
Langvad and My Boy Star are among a dozen 3-year-olds and older who will go six furlongs in the $400,000 Gallant Bob, won the last three years and 12 times overall by Florida-breds.
Damon’s Mound (2023), Bentornato (2024) and Mad House last year, plus Firenze Fire (2018), City of Weston (2013), Royal Currier (2011), Pashito the Che (2009), Abbondanza (2004), Thunderello (2002), Sea of Green (2001), Valid Trefaire (1999) and Rocky Knave in 1985 all represented their breeders from the Sunshine State.
Let go at odds of 39-1, Langvad was just a half-length shy of upsetting Bravaro in the seven-furlong Robert Hilton. That stopped a two-race winning streak Langvad had after winning a six-furlong allowance race versus Florida-breds on May 23 and the $91,000 Carry Back going seven furlongs on June 27, both at Gulfstream.
Langvad has three wins, two seconds and a third while banking $247,610 for owner Gary Barber, BAG Racing Stable, Robert Zoellner, Steven Friedfertig and Shining Stables. He is out of Malibu Melody, by Malibu Moon and was bred in Florida by John B. Penn.
Joseph had selected Langvad out of the Sue Vacek consignment at the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale where he paid $23,000.
Micah Husbands, who has ridden Langvad in is six previous races including his last four, will again be aboard. Langvad is 5-1 on the morning line and has post five.
My Boy Star returns to dirt after two unsuccessful stakes effort on grass since the Sophomore Sprint. The 3-year-old colt was fifth in the $104,000 My Frenchman won by Florida-bred Rebel With a Cause going five-and-a-half furlongs on July 11 at Monmouth Park and fifth in the $1342,000 Colonial Turf Dash won by Doubting Thomas at Colonial Downs on August 8.
My Boy Star is trained by Alejandro O. Mednieta and is owned by his AOM Racing Stables and Pedro Brito Brito. The 3-year-old is by Bucchero out of My Sarasota Star, by Adios Charlie and was bred in Florida by the trainer and Maria Elena Villegas. He has earned $110,500 from two wins and two thirds in six starts.
Cipriano Gil takes the riding assignment on My Boy Star, who is 12-1 on the morning line and has drawn post two.
Rounding out the field are Ramajay with Flavien Prat named to ride, Arnaldo Bocachica has the call on Ryan’s Run, Paco Lopez again teams with Bravaro, Dr. Kapur will have Tyler Gaffalione up, N. Y. Finest has Francisco Martinez with the riding assignment, Jose Ortiz will guide Stradale, Tallmar will have Javier Castellano in the saddle, Emisael Jaramillo will take the reins on Captivator, Amberjack will have Daniel Centeno in the saddle and Abner Adorno has the engagement on Mailata.
Return to the September 15 issue of Wire to Wire
