Mr. Windjammer takes Barker for second time

Mr. Windjammer came from far back to win the $50,000 George Barker Handicap for the second straight year on Monday afternoon at Finger Lakes.

Ninth of 10 older New York-bred sprinters with a quarter-mile remaining in the six-furlong sprint, Mr. Windjammer ($8.30) made up roughly 5 3/4 lengths in the final two furlongs and nailed pacesetter Pro's Pal at the wire to win by a neck.

The victory ended an eight-race losing streak for Mr. Windjammer, a 5-year-old gelding ridden by Gabriel Suarez for trainer Jonathan Buckley. The winning time was 1:11.17.

Pro's Pal, part of a coupled entry for trainer Charlton Baker that went off favored at 2-1, was stepping up to stakes company after starting the season with back-to-back wins in a first-level optional $15,000 claimer and a $4,000 starter allowance. Pro's Pal, who still led by two lengths with a furlong remaining after setting fractions of 21.88 and 45.23 seconds, finished a length clear of third-place finisher Too Tough Pete.

The 8-year-old Johnie Bye Night, who won three consecutive runnings of the Barker from 2006-2008, never threatened and finished last in his first start since January 2009.