Frisky Warrior relishes return home in George W. Barker

A return to his home track after six unsuccessful races at Aqueduct and Belmont Park helped Frisky Warrior regain his good form in Friday’s $50,000 George W. Barker Stakes for New York-bred sprinters at Finger Lakes.

Making his first start locally since finishing second in the Leon Reed Memorial last October, the 7-year-old Frisky Warrior ($8.80) drew clear in the stretch to defeat 6-5 favorite Marriedtothemusic by 3 1/2 lengths, covering six furlongs in 1:10.52.

The sloppy track conditions played to Frisky Warrior’s strength. He now has four wins and a second in five starts on wet tracks.

Ridden by Jaime Rodriguez for owner-trainer Ralph D’Alessandro, Frisky Warrior has recorded 12 of his 14 lifetime wins at Finger Lakes. He was fifth in last year’s Barker at 5-1.

Marriedtothemusic, who did well to get second after breaking awkwardly under Oscar Gomez, finished two lengths clear of Bigshotinthenews, the longest shot in the field of seven at 56-1.