Barnaby crushes rivals by 28 lengths in Distinctly Irish Trophy

In what can only be described as a commanding, almost cruel performance, Barnaby swept all before him to dominate rivals in the $1.75-million Distinctly Irish Trophy feature at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Trained by Anthony Nunes and ridden with supreme confidence by Raddesh Roman, Barnaby easily brushed aside the competition by an ever-increasing 28 lengths in the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m). In a reduced five-horse field with the scratch of King Piye, Barnaby broke calmly and was allowed to track the leaders from last position as Run Julie Run (Tajay Suckoo) carried the field around the clubhouse turn and onto the main track, chased by Neo Star (Shane Richardson) and Don Kwesi (Jaheim Anderson). Barnaby maintained his big, effortless gallop down the backstretch, just biding his time while drawing closer to the leaders. Then, going into the half-mile turn, it was over. Roman gave him a squeeze and Barnaby made a sweeping, big move to surround rivals in a matter of strides, hitting the front full of running and full of horse. Into the lane he opened up by 10, then 15, then 20, and finally romped home by a city block, eased down at the wire. Don Kwesi stayed on for second, Neo Star finished third. The final time was 1:54.3. It was the third winner on the day for Nunes as he then saddled Of A Revolution (Jaheim Anderson) in the $1.25-million Blumenthal Trophy and D.O.K. (Phillip Parchment) in the 10th and final event. Also saddling three winners was champion trainer Jason DaCosta. DaCosta’s winners were Gallant Groom (Tevin Foster) in the $1.1-million Ronron Trophy, Big Stack in the second race, and Fred The Master in the eight race, both ridden by Robert Halledeen. Racing continues today with a nine-race card starting at noon.