Barese makes quick return, but is class of New York Stallion Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Barese should handle the turnback in distance and the return to restricted company when he runs in Saturday’s $200,000 Times Square division of the New York Stallion Stakes at Aqueduct. His success in the 6 1/2-furlong race hinges on how well he handles the quick turnaround from his last race.

Barese runs in the Times Square after finishing fifth – 5 1/2 lengths behind Mo Donegal – in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial run at 1 1/8 miles here April 9. In that race, Barese broke from post 8 and was hung four wide throughout. He was within 1 1/2 lengths of the lead at the top of the lane before flattening out. He lost a nasty bob for fourth.

“I thought he ran a great race, he just wasn’t good enough,” trainer Mike Maker told the New York Racing Association publicity department. “He continues to train well, and we’re looking for some class relief.”

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Prior to his try in the Wood, Barese had gone 3 for 3 against New York-breds. He came off a 233-day layoff to win the Rego Park Stakes at this same 6 1/2-furlong distance Jan. 9. He successfully stretched out to win the one-mile Gander on Feb. 12.

Barese, an off-the-pace type, will break from post 2 under Dylan Davis. He should get a nice setup in the race with Unique Unions, Tommy Gun, and Red D G P in the field.

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The speedy Unique Unions has not raced since finishing fourth, three lengths behind Barese, in the Rego Park. He set the pace that day, but weakened in the final furlong. Trainer Rick Schosberg opted to give the horse a break with this race in mind. He wasn’t expecting to have to face Barese again.

Unique Unions drew the rail, so he will be sent to the lead by jockey Manny Franco.

“We drew the rail, no real mystery about what we got to do,” Schosberg said. “It’s a tougher race with Barese in there, that’s for sure.”

Kazmike and Tommy Gun are both maidens, but both are not impossible in here if Barese doesn’t fire.

Kazmike, trained by Dimitrios Synnefias, finished second in both of his starts. In his debut, he dueled outside of eventual winner Hot Rod Rumble and seemed a bit green for a few strides in the race before coming on again to miss by a nose. In his second start, Kazmike stalked the pace and was simply second best behind Win for Gold.

Tommy Gun finished fourth in his debut after he dueled for the lead.

“With first-time starters I always ask the riders to ask them to run away from there,” trainer George Weaver said. “Maybe from an inside post we asked him a little more than normal, but I don’t see any reason why needs the lead.”

Tommy Gun will break from post 3 in this seven-horse field under Eric Cancel.

Mo Dancin was a debut winner March 11, then finished fourth in a statebred allowance 20 days later for trainer Linda Rice. Mister Larry was a debut winner at 21-1, but was well beaten in his next two starts. Trainer Orlando Noda is adding blinkers to Mister Larry on Saturday.