Ribo Bobo got to the finish line first yet again March 2, winning his 12th race from his last 13 starts and his third straight in a stakes during the Gulfstream Park meet.
The finish line, though, seemed a bit farther away than usual for the 1-2 favorite's connections during the stretch run of the $75,000 Caixa Eletronica Stakes (VIDEO).
"We were looking for the finish line, I can tell you that," said owner Rob Lombardi, who experienced an anxious moment in the final sixteenth of a mile. Ribo Bobo received an unexpected and stern challenge from Dad'z Laugh before asserting his class.
Ribo Bobo, claimed by trainer Jason Servis for Lombardi's Mr. Amore Stable for $6,250 at Gulfstream March 8, 2013, withstood a strong bid by Dad'z Laugh before holding off the 4-1 second betting choice by a measured half-length.
"He's amazing," said Servis, whose 6-year-old gelding had won in hand in both the Claiming Crown Express Dec. 7 and the Sunshine Millions Sprint Jan. 18. Ribo Bobo was making his 50th start in the Caixa Eletronica, which provided his 17th lifetime victory.
Breaking from the rail post position under Paco Lopez, Ribo Bobo was outrun for the early lead in the six-furlong stakes by Mongolian Saturday, who was hustled out of the gate by jockey Jose Lezcano. Mongolian Saturday opened up a solid lead on the backstretch only to be joined by Ribo Bobo to his outside.
Lopez took hold of the reins and rated the favorite alongside the pacesetter leaving the backstretch before being dragged to the lead midway on the turn into the homestretch. Ribo Bobo appeared in total control at the top of the stretch before Dad'z Laugh and Javier Castellano loomed boldly to his outside. Lopez got busy on Ribo Bobo, and the son of Louis Quartorze dug in to the wire.
"He's such a nice horse. He tries really hard all the time and he's so smart, it really doesn't have anything to do with the jockey," Lopez said. "I knew I had a lot of horse left (in the stretch)."
Dad'z Laugh held second, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Mongolian Saturday. Ribo Bobo ran six furlongs in a swift 1:08.98 while boosting his career earnings to $719,655.
Servis, who won a six-way shake to claim Ribo Bobo after losing him two starts earlier for $8,000, said Ribo Bobo has been able to maintain his winning edge without a lot of training.
"He looks so good because I don't have to do much with him, sprinting. It keeps him looking good. It's not like the mile and an eighth horses that you've got to train," Servis said. "Friday nights we go to an organic place and get a case of dandelions. Every Friday, he gets them, I can tell you that."
Ribo Bobo will be pointed to the $100,000 Sir Shackleton at Gulfstream on the Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) undercard March 29.
Ribo Bobo wins the Caixa Eletronica Stakes.
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