Barbados scores upset in Spectacular Bid

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Barbados returned quick dividends for his new connections when rallying from off the pace to run down the odds-on Ready for Rye and upset Saturday’s $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Luis Saez posted his second stakes win of the day aboard Barbados, having already guided Ekati’s Phaeton to victory in the Grade 3 Old Hat.

Barbados was purchased by trainer Michael Tomlinson on behalf of Suzanne Stables for $340,000 out of the WinStar dispersal at the Keeneland November sale. The son of Speighstown had won once in three starts with trainer Kellyn Gorder at age 2.

Barbados rated off the early pace set by It’s Not Me, eased outside to challenge at the top of the stretch, wore down Ready for Rye inside the eighth pole, then edged off to a decisive three-length victory.

Ready for Rye, sent postward as the even-money choice off a sensational maiden win at Belmont Park, prompted the pace and gained control upon settling into the stretch but could not contain the winner while easily second-best.

Barbados completed six furlongs in 1:09.40 over a fast track and paid $14.60.

“Obviously, we got the right setup,” said Tomlinson. “This colt is so intelligent. He just laid off and let the speed go on. When it’s time to push the button, he’ll go. I’m just real proud of him.”

Tomlinson said he likely will give Barbados a chance to stretch out his speed sometime this season.

“Physically, his body type tells you sprint,” said Tomlinson. “But the bottom side of his pedigree is Street Cry, which should be able to go on down the racetrack, so we’ll give him the opportunity later on and see what happens.”