BARRIER REEF SURVIVES TROUBLE
Article taken from the Daily Racing Form by David Grening
Trainer Tom Albertrani continued his torrid run in 2009 because Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST) continued his love affair with Aqueduct's inner track on Saturday.
After bobbling at the break and clipping heels with another rival around the far turn, Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST) stormed home in the stretch under Ramon Dominguez to win the $71,305 Stymie Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths.
It was the second stakes win of 2009 for Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST), who last month won the Evening Attire. Overall, Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST) has won 5 of 6 races over the inner track, including all three starts this winter.
Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST) did not have the smoothest of trips in the Stymie. He bobbled at the break and trailed the field in the early stages. However he advanced steadily into contention down the backside but found himself behind a tiring Barcola around the far turn. Dominguez said Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST) clipped heels with Barcola, but quickly recovered.
Turning for home, Dominguez swung Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST) into the three path and he past True Resurgence en route to the victory.
"I was just impressed with the fact that after he clipped heels he came back up and he didn't miss anything, he was just right there ready to roll,'' said Dominguez, who won four races on the card. "He stayed on his left lead the last part, but he kept on running.''
Albertrani said he believes that Barrier Reef (MIZZEN MAST) will eventually show that he's more than just an inner-track horse-for-course and will likely attempt to do that in the Grade 3 $200,000 Excelsior on the main track on April 4.
Date:
28 February 2009