Noholdingback Bear pounces in Gallant Bob

Noholdingback Bear tracked the pace in third to the head of the stretch and finished best of all in Saturday’s $300,000 Gallant Bob (G3) at Parx Racing, drawing off to a 1 1/4-length decision in the 6-furlong test for 3-year-olds. Trained by Michael De Paulo, the Woodbine-based colt registered his first graded stakes win when stopping the teletimer in 1:09.61 with Eurico Da Silva.

Owned by Bear Stables Ltd., the son of Put It Back left the starting gate as a slight 3-1 favorite. Noholdingback Bear was exiting a third to Drefong in the King’s Bishop (G1) at Saratoga and finished a close second in the Bold Venture (G3) at Woodbine two starts back.

The bay Kentucky-bred captured the Woodstock at Woodbine and Tom Ridge at Presque Isle Downs earlier this season and also finished second in the Hutcheson (G3) at Gulfstream Park. He’s now earned more than $380,000 from an 11-5-4-1 record.

Out of the winning Elusive Quality mare Pleasant Quality, Noholdingback Bear was purchased for $25,000 at the 2014 Keeneland January sale.

Mind Your Biscuits rallied for second at 7-1, edging the 3-1 Threefiveindia in third. Awesome Speed wound up fourth. Next came pacesetter Navy Hymn, who established opening splits in :22.14 and :45.29 before giving way. Counterforce, Full Salute, Who’s Out, Klingon Warrior, Yellow Chips and Cardio Cowboy completed the order of finish.

Noholdingback Bear photo courtesy of Barbara Weidl/Equi-Photo