Well Spelled rallies late to win Gallant Bob Stakes

A third of the way through the six-furlong Gallant Bob Stakes, Well Spelled's chances of winning appeared to be small. After all, the 15-1 shot was nearly thirteen lengths behind the leaders and completely out of contact with the field.

But coming down to the finish, there was little doubt as to who the winner would be. Under strong urging from jockey Pablo Fragoso, Well Spelled rallied fast down the center of the Parx Racing homestretch to win the $300,000 sprint by a convincing half-length.

The early pacesetters were Private Zone and Il Villano, who exchanged the lead through blazing fractions of :21.41 and :43.95 while separated by little more than a head. Trinniberg was their closest pursuer, tracking just a half-length behind while three-wide. There was a gap of another length back to Jake N Elwood and Laurie's Rocket, with Currency Swap and Raging Daoust at the back of the main group. Well Spelled was, of course, the trailer by a substantial margin.

Turning into the homestretch, Trinniberg made a strong move to take command of the lead, quickly drawing clear of his fellow pacesetters to open up a sizable advantage. But Well Spelled was charging hard on the far outside, and wore down Trinniberg inside the sixteenth pole to win going away in 1:09.08 seconds.

Trinniberg finished 3 1/4 lengths clear of Private Zone, who defeated Il Villano by a head for the third spot. Laurie's Rocket, Raging Daoust, Currency Swap, and Jake N Elwood completed the order of finish.

Well Spelled is a son of Spellbinder out of Well, by Well Decorated. Trained by Benjamin Perkins Jr. and owned by GSP Racing Stable, Well Spelled has now compiled an exceptional record of 4-3-3 from 11 starts, with earnings of $347,260.

-Keelerman