Hebbronville Poised for Gallant Bob Score

An accomplished field of eight 3-year-old sprinters will line up to contest the $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (gr. III) at six furlongs Sept. 19 at Parx Racing.

Grand Bili and Hebbronville share highweight of 122 pounds in the Gallant Bob, which is carded as the eighth race with a probable post time of 4:05 p.m. EDT. It is one of three graded stakes on the Saturday program; the others, each worth $1 million, are the grade II Pennsylvania Derby and grade I Cotillion.

Hebbronville carts a three-race win streak into the Gallant Bob, including an off-the-pace score in the Jersey Shore Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth Park in July. Hebbronville came back to defeat Gallant Bob foes Bayerd and Always Sunshine in an $100,000 allowance tussle at Parx in late August, and there looks to be enough pace in the Gallant Bob to set up his late run.

Grand Bili carried the day in the Carry Back Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park in July, then ran an even fifth in the King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) last out. He does his best work close to the pace.

Limousine Liberal outfinished Grand Bili when second in the King's Bishop, his first defeat after two wins in Kentucky to start his career. He is another who enjoys prompting the tempo and should prove tough.

Catalina Red won the Jackson Bend Stakes for Florida-breds last out but has also won two stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in open company. He has hit the board in six of seven starts and looms a danger at Parx.

Bayerd is a two-time stakes winner at Remington Park, though he came up empty in his one try in graded company on a sloppy surface at Oaklawn Park.

Trouble Kid is a popular local performer who has a win and a second in two Parx tries. He is a speedy sort who might get brave on the front end but will be tested for class in this group. Recount, a multiple stakes winner at Arlington International Racecourse, will be keeping Trouble Kid company up front and his five victories from seven starts point to a horse that can finish. Always Sunshine is lightly raced and has rolled a pair of thirds in two starts at Parx.