Kobe's Back Rallies to Commonwealth Victory
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In last place turning for home, Kobe's Back launched an outside rally in the stretch to surge past his six foes and score a three-quarter-length victory in the $300,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. III) April 4 at Keeneland .
The victory snapped a six-race losing streak for C R K Stable's Kobe's Back, dating to last year's San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. In a final furlong run in 12.1 seconds, Kobe's Back rallied from fourth, three lengths back, completing the about seven-furlong race in 1:22.16 on a fast track.
"He had a lot of gears left coming into the stretch," said winning rider Gary Stevens. "I was able to save ground until about the five-sixteenths pole, then I had to make a decision: Was I going in or out? There was nowhere to go inside. And I didn't want to get him stopped. He just motored on through the lane. I can't wait to stretch him out a little bit."
Before winning Saturday's race for older horses, Kobe's Back opened his 4-year-old season with a runner-up finish to Wild Dude in the San Carlos Stakes (gr. II) March 7 at Santa Anita, which marked the son of Flatter 's first start since a fifth-place finish in the Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I) July 27 at Del Mar.
Hall of Fame rider Stevens has been aboard for both of Kobe's Back's races this season. On Saturday, Stevens secured his first Keeneland stakes win since guiding Asi Siempre to victory in the October 2005 Valley View Stakes (gr. IIIT).
Kobe's Back returned $7.60 to win, $3.80 to place, and $3 to show. C. Zee, who held the lead in midstretch before being passed by the winner, returned $3.40 to place and $2.80 to show. Rocket Time returned $4.20 to show. Bourbon Courage, the 2-1 favorite, raced near the back of the pack and never threatened, finishing sixth.
Currently trained by Peter Eurton, Kobe's Back has earned at least one stakes win in each of his three seasons of racing.
Out of the winning Well Decorated mare Well, Kobe's Back is a half brother to grade III winner Well Spelled.