The George W. Barker Stakes at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack is set for Monday, May 26, 2025, featuring a competitive field of six New York-bred horses racing six furlongs on dirt for a $50,000 purse. This Memorial Day feature marks the 40th running of the stakes event and kicks off the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred racing stakes season.
Race Details
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 2:56 PM ET
- Location: Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, Farmington, NY
- Distance: 6 furlongs (Dirt)
- Grade: Unlisted Stakes
- Purse: $50,000
- Field Size: 6
Field Breakdown
1. Lady’s Golden Guy (3-1)
- Jockey: Nazario Alvarado
- Trainer: Debra Breed
- Pedigree: Golden Ticket – Valuable Lady
- Overview: An eight-year-old gelding with 13 career wins at Finger Lakes, Lady’s Golden Guy dominated an FLGR allowance field by six lengths in his 2025 debut on May 6. He has demonstrated a strong affinity for his home track and could be a serious contender.
2. Take the Gold (10-1)
- Jockey: Jacqueline Davis
- Trainer: Glenroy Brown
- Pedigree: Giant Surprise – Delta Gold
- Overview: A four-year-old gelding with limited stakes experience, Take the Gold will need a career-best effort to contend against this field.
3. Royal Suspect (8-1)
- Jockey: Joel Cruz
- Trainer: Nirka Huertas
- Pedigree: Animal Kingdom – Holiday Apple
- Overview: An eight-year-old gelding with solid sprinting ability, Royal Suspect has the experience but will need a strong trip to challenge the favorites.
4. Looms Boldly (5-2, Favorite)
- Jockey: Andre Worrie
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Pedigree: Goldencents – See the Forest
- Overview: A five-year-old gelding and three-time stakes winner, Looms Boldly won the Ontario County Stakes (2023) and the John Morrissey Handicap (2024) at Saratoga. He returns to Finger Lakes for the first time in two years and is the lukewarm morning-line favorite.
5. Rhymes Like Dimes (6-1)
- Jockey: Michael Davila Jr.
- Trainer: Timothy Murphy
- Pedigree: Union Jackson – Sleek
- Overview: A six-year-old gelding with solid sprinting credentials, Rhymes Like Dimes could be a factor if the pace is fast early.
6. Tacony Road (12-1)
- Jockey: Emanuel De Diego
- Trainer: Timothy Murphy
- Pedigree: Klimt – Fingerpainter
- Overview: A five-year-old gelding with limited stakes experience, Tacony Road will need a strong trip to contend.
Race Analysis & Prediction
- Pace Scenario: Expect Looms Boldly and Lady’s Golden Guy to set the early pace, with Royal Suspect and Rhymes Like Dimes tracking closely. Take the Gold and Tacony Road may sit mid-pack, looking for a late surge.
- Key Matchup: The battle between Looms Boldly and Lady’s Golden Guy will be crucial. If Looms Boldly can replicate his Saratoga form, he could dominate, but Lady’s Golden Guy has the home-track advantage.
- Prediction: Looms Boldly has the class and consistency to secure another stakes victory, but Lady’s Golden Guy could challenge late. Rhymes Like Dimes remains a wildcard with his sprinting ability.
