Crackerjack Jones vs. Breakin the Fever in George W. Barker Stakes
Finger Lakes opens its 13-race stakes schedule Monday with an interesting matchup between Crackerjack Jones and Breakin the Fever in the $50,000 George W. Barker, a six-furlong sprint for New York-breds.
Breakin the Fever has take-no-prisoners early speed. Crackerjack Jones has speed, too, but likely will track Breakin the Fever early. Something will have to give in the stretch.
Oscar Gomez has ridden Breakin the Fever in 18 of 19 starts and in nine of his 10 wins. He has been aboard Crackerjack Jones in 11 of his last 12 races and for six wins. Gomez stays with Crackerjack Jones in the Barker.
Breakin the Fever, 4, has won eight of his 10 starts at Finger Lakes. After taking the winter off, he returned in an allowance race May 9. He went wire to wire as the 1-20 favorite to win by two lengths.
Breakin the Fever is owned, trained, and was bred by Debra Breed. He has earned $279,441.
Crackerjack Jones, 6, concluded last season with strong wins in an allowance and the Fio Rito Stakes. He will make his season debut in the Barker off a series of seven works, the last two of which have been bullets at six furlongs and a half-mile.
Crackerjack Jones is trained by Christopher Progno and is owned by Chester and Mary Broman. He has a record of 20-9-3-1 and earnings of $239,520.
George W. Barker, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Breakin the Fever, by Roaring Fever
Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-87
◗ He will have to be caught to be beaten, and that won’t be easy. He has won seven of his last nine starts.
◗ Nazario Alvarado picks up the mount from Gomez.
Crackerjack Jones, by Smarty Jones
Last 3 Beyers: 89-97-79
◗ He will have to make sure Breakin the Fever doesn’t get too far in front.
◗ Gomez knows both horses so well that it is an advantage to have him aboard.
Baime, by Star Dabbler
Last 3 Beyers: 83-84-77
◗ A 6-year-old trained by Michael Ferraro, he concluded last year by running second to Crackerjack Jones in the Fio Rito and finishing third by a length to Breakin the Fever in the Leon Reed Memorial. He outsprinted Crackerjack Jones for the lead but chased Breakin the Fever.
Frisky Warrior, by Desert Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 61-83-74
◗ He won the Barker a year ago. In two starts this season, he has finished second to Breakin the Fever and third to 30-1 winner Bigshotinthenews, who also is in this field.
◗ Frisky Warrior upset Breakin the Fever last September in an allowance race.