OCEANPORT, NJ – Colts Neck Stables’ Big City Bob, just three weeks removed from breaking his maiden sprinting over the same course, stretched out successfully to upset Sunday’s $100,000 Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Dismissed at 26/1 odds as he broke from the far outside post 8 under Chris DeCarlo, Big City Bob was forced to run three-wide into the clubhouse turn due to the short run-up from the gate. Shield of Faith, who at 37/1 was the only longer shot on the board, set the early pace and posted fractions of :23.55, :48.08, and 1:12.92.
Heading into the far turn, Big City Bob – still running three-wide – commenced his bid to the front and began reeling in the pacesetter. Off the far turn, Mischevious Alex made a powerful move to take command, but Big City Bob was coming on strongly behind him.
Near the 1/16 pole, Big City Bob swept past the new leader and outkicked a rail-closing Skyscanner for victory. The Jorge Duarte, Jr., trainee crossed with a neck advantage in a final time of 1:39.29 for the mile-long event over the fast main track.
“He broke with the field a little bit,” DeCarlo said. “I was able to get some position on the turn, and then in the backside, I left him alone, and each time I asked him for something, he grabbed the bridle, so I knew I had horse. Going to the 3/8 pole, they started getting away from him a little bit and I started asking him a little more. He dug in the whole way. He’s just very professional for a young horse. Obviously, it was a big step up. It surprised me, but it didn’t surprise me that he won like this because I knew he had ability.”
Skyscanner’s furious late rally resulted in a sneaky second, nailing Mischevious Alex at the wire. Shield of Faith faded in the stretch to finish a well-beaten fourth, while behind him came Gangly, Super John, the misfiring 7/5 favorite Liberate, and Jack the Umpire to complete the order of finish.
Big City Bob’s win was his second straight after finishing sixth on debut at Parx on July 15. The 2-year-old son of Shanghai Bobby, purchased this past April for $190,000, has now earned $88,750.
Big City Bob returned $54.20 to win, $16.20 to place, and $8.40 to show. Skyscanner brought back $13 to place and $5.60 to show, while Mischevious Alex paid $3.60 to show.
