Barak surprises in $30,000 Harry Jeffrey Stakes
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First year journeyman rider Christopher Husbands showed experience beyond his years as he and Barak squeezed through along the rail on the turn to grab the lead from early pace setter Mancini’s Man and went on to win the Harry Jeffrey.
Barak, a 3-year-old by More Than Ready, had not run since late July, however, put up a bullet work on August 14. “I thought he might like the distance,” said trainer Marty Drexler, “he had been galloping out good in his workouts, so we decided to put him in here.” That decision paid off well as Marty Drexler and owner Shyman Farm picks up their third stakes race of the year, including the Manitoba Lotteries Derby with Weather Warning earlier this month.
Barak was the pick seven spoiler as the surprise winner paid a whopping $36.90 to win. A very happy Stewart and Spencer Hyman of Shyman Farms dedicated the win to their father and grandfather who could not be at Assiniboia Downs in person.
A fast closing Druid’s Lodge could not catch a very determined Barak in late stretch and finished second. Druid’s Lodge, trained by Emile Corbel came into the Harry Jeff rey off an impressive win against allowance company three weeks ago. Druid’s Lodge made an impressive three wide move around the final turn but could not make up the lost ground achieved by the rail skimming trip of the winner.
Mancini’s Man dueled for the lead with the other Shyman charge, Big Chief until midway in the backstretch, then drifted out coming into the stretch to give Barak the space he needed. Mancini’s Man, trained by Ian McDonald, won his last out by eleven lengths against an optional allowance field and hung on for third. A fast closing Flying Chevy, trained by Guy Kling finished fourth.
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