All systems go for Barbados in Don Bernhardt
Just in time to join the procession of winners from the Mike Tomlinson stable, Barbados is ready to run a big one Saturday in the $50,000 Don Bernhardt Stakes at Ellis Park in western Kentucky.
“I really feel like he’s starting to show signs of his old self,” said Tomlinson.
Barbados, dogged since last fall by a foot ailment, will have Joe Rocco Jr. aboard when he breaks from the outside post in a field of eight horses. The 4-year-old colt will be favored for at least a couple of reasons: He brings a decided class edge to the 6 1/2-furlong race, and few trainers have been hotter in recent weeks than Tomlinson.
In late June, Tomlinson sent out five straight winners at Churchill Downs, then topped it off by sending Candip to Prairie Meadows to win the $100,000 Iowa Sprint on July 2.
“The stars aligned, and everything fell into place,” said Tomlinson, a 63-year-old former college baseball player in his native Oklahoma.
Barbados, a three-time stakes winner from 14 career starts, blew out an abscess just days before finishing 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last fall. The colt proceeded to train and race in a protective bar shoe, but finally, after months of lingering, the injury has fully healed.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Tomlinson. “He’s turned a corner in a big way, I believe. I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t show up Saturday.”
Tomlinson said he hopes the Bernhardt will serve as a prep for slightly longer races for Barbados, while Candip will remain at shorter distances, with the $100,000 Byrd Memorial on Aug. 6 at Mountaineer being his next target.
This is the 39th running of the Don Bernhardt, which is named for the late sports editor at the Evansville Courier and Press. It’s the second of five stakes at an Ellis meet that runs through Sept. 5. First post is 12:50 p.m. Central, with the feature, the eighth of nine races, going at 4:10.
KEY CONTENDERS
Barbados, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 84-48-100
◗ Bay colt won the ungraded Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February in his first start following the Breeders’ Cup, then was pitted against graded company in his next three starts, yielding two fourth-place finishes and a ninth.
◗ Tomlinson raved about the colt’s final prerace breeze, a five-furlong drill in 59.80 seconds Monday at his Churchill base.
Black Bear, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 94-84-85
◗ Claimed for $62,500 by Randy Morse when capturing a June 30 sprint at Churchill, this hard knocker appears to fit with these and certainly knows how to win, having prevailed in seven of 13 career starts.
Bump Start, by Jump Start
Last 3 Beyers: 88-69-83
◗ Pennsylvania-bred ridgling has gone eight races without a victory but has the recency and back class to make his presence felt for trainer Kellyn Gorder.