Beaten chalk Johnie Bye Night looks to rebound

Johnie Bye Night will attempt to make amends for his loss at 2-5 in his season's debut when he looks to win the $50,000 George W. Barker Handicap at Finger Lakes for the third straight year.

A 6-year-old gelding owned and trained by Charlton Baker, Johnie Bye Night earned one of the lowest Beyer Speed Figures of his 15-race career when he was given a 61 for his second-place finish in a $26,500 overnight handicap on April 19. In contrast, he racked up Beyers of 97 and 99 in winning the six-furlong Barker each of the past two seasons.

Johnie Bye Night's five opponents include What a Tale, a front-runner who comes off a dominant victory over second-level optional $25,000 claimers at Belmont Park, and Mr. Bourbon Street, an uncoupled stablemate from Baker's barn who is 4 for 6 at Finger Lakes and was second in last year's Barker.