P J Advantage gets through inside to win George W. Barker Stakes

P J Advantage upset his stablemate Saratoga Giro by a length to win the $50,000 George W. Barker Stakes for New York-breds on Monday at Finger Lakes, giving trainer Paul Barrow a sweep of the exacta.

P J Advantage ($34.20), a 4-year-old Posse gelding, is both owned and trained by Barrow. The Barker was his first stakes win in his second try at the level. He was second by a half-length in the 2018 Ontario County Stakes at Finger Lakes.

Defending Barker winner Saratoga Giro, who is trained by Barrow for owner Henry Steadman, was named the 2018 Finger Lakes horse of the year following last year's meeting. The horse hounded the swift opening quarter of 21.85 seconds set by Sudden Surprise on Monday, then assumed command into the stretch. But P J Advantage and jockey Daniel Vergara, who had been fifth in the field of six after the quarter, had worked their way into second and just a length off the stablemate at that point. P J Advantage came through on the inside to overhaul Saratoga Giro in the final stages for the victory, stopping the clock in 1:10.10 for the six furlongs.

After Saratoga Giro, it was another 2 3/4 lengths back to Aveenu Malcainu in third.