Barese guns down Bold Journey in $100K Gander

by Ryan Martin

For the second race in a row, Barese launched a menacing late rally in the final sixteenth of a mile to capture a stakes victory at Aqueduct Racetrack, this time taking Saturday’s $100,000 Gander against fellow New York-bred 3-year-olds going a one-turn mile.

Barese, owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher, entered off a win in the 6 1/2-furlong Rego Park on January 9. The bay son of Laoban handled the added ground with flying colors, collaring post-time favorite Bold Journey in the last jumps to win by 1 1/4 lengths, keeping an unbeaten record intact.

Piloted by Dylan Davis from post 5, Barese took up a stalking position out of the chute while G Munning and Bold Journey did battle up front through an opening quarter-mile in 23.99 seconds over the fast main track.

Positions remained unchanged as Bold Journey marked a half-mile in 47.51, but Barese was full of run around the far turn as G Munning began to give way. Davis kept busy aboard Barese approaching the quarter-pole with Bold Journey boasting a four-length advantage under Kendrick Carmouche.

Although Bold Journey appeared clear in mid-stretch, Barese found his second wind under Davis’ left-handed encouragement, surging beyond Bold Journey and completing the mile in a final time of 1:39.26.

Bold Journey finished 5 1/4 lengths ahead of NYSSS Great White Way winner Geno. Doin’ittherightway, Cut the Cord, Bossmakinbossmoves and G Munning completed the order of finish.

“He definitely handled the mile great,” said Davis, who earned his fourth stakes triumph of the meet. “He's just a horse that now I've learned it just takes him a little while to get his run going. Once he does and he lays it down - and he did it late again that last eighth of a mile - he stretches out nicely and gets the job done."

Davis added that Barese lost his left front shoe out of the gate.

“For a horse to do that and run like he did, he ran a great race,” Davis said.

Now a two-time stakes winner for trainer Mike Maker, Barese broke his maiden in May 2021 at Belmont Park, defeating subsequent graded stakes winner Coinage.

“He tries hard every race and just when you think he’s had enough, he just gives you that last gear,” said co-owner Peter Proscia of Paradise Farms Corp. “It was great; he’s moving forward and Dylan did a great job keeping him together, so we’re very pleased. I didn’t think he was going to get there. My friends here had all the faith in the world, but it was a little sketchy. When he started rolling after the last seventy yards, it was a good feeling.”

Bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds and Lakland Farm, Barese is out of the Successful Appeal mare Right Prevails – a full-sister to 2005 Kentucky Derby runner-up Closing Argument. Barese is a full-brother to three-time winner Breakfastatbonnies, who races in Sunday’s $100,000 Broadway for New York-bred fillies and mares going six furlongs.

Returning $7.50 for a $2 win wager, Barese enhanced his lifetime bankroll past the six-figure threshold to $151,250.

Live racing resumes Sunday at the Big A with a nine-race card. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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Barese guns down Bold Journey in $100K Gander

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