John the Bear Making Stakes Debut in General George
At 0h03, on February 18, 2023 • By LAUREL PARK
Sent off as the favorite in four of his last five races, John the Bear is the second-longest shot in the General George at morning-line odds of 15-1. The 5-year-old gelding has won five of eight starts with one second and one third since being claimed by trainer Claudio Gonzalez for $25,000 in November 2021.
“He came back from the last race really good,” Gonzalez said. “You can see the races he’s running, and we had to give him the opportunity in the stake. I believe it’s the right time for it. He’s doing good. I know the race is tough, but we have to try one time to see how much he’s improved.”
John the Bear, by multiple Grade 1-winning sprinter The Factor, returns just two weeks after registering a 2 ¼-length optional claiming allowance sprinting 5 ½ furlongs, a race where 2022 General George runner-up War Tocsin ran third.
