By Ben Massam
Despite attracting a talent-laden 10-horse field of sophomore sprinters, Saturday's GIII Gallant Bob S. does not appear to be loaded with blazing speed like in years past. Rather, the group features a number of promising entrants cutting back in distance, including 'TDN Rising Star' Coal Front (Stay Thirsty), last seen finishing fifth in the seven-furlong GI H. Allen Jerkens S. at Saratoga Aug. 26. Coal Front was previously victorious in the GII Amsterdam S. at the Spa July 29 and appears to possess relatively more early gas than some of his other chief rivals Saturday. Coal Front will compete as part of a formidable two-horse entry with Petrov (Flatter), the impressive winner of an Aug. 4 allowance test going seven panels at the Spa.
Fair Grounds Racing Club's Excitations (Into Mischief) closed well to finish second behind Coal Front in the Amsterdam and has been giving a brief freshening ahead of this try. 'Rising Stars' American Pastime and Running Mate enter off wins over elder rivals in 'two-other-than' optional claiming events at Del Mar Aug. 19 and Delaware Aug. 31, respectively. Calumet Farm's Sonic Mule (Distorted Humor) is two-for-two at the Gallant Bob's six-furlong trip and a two-time stakes winner. The colt returns from nearly three months on the shelf for trainer Todd Pletcher.
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