Barnaby unleashed a tour-de-force performance at Caymanas Park, annihilating the competition to claim the prestigious $2-million Chairman’s Trophy feature race on Saturday.

Trained by Anthony Nunes, who has a knack for coaxing excellence from his charges, and piloted by Tevin Foster, who rode with precision and poise, Barnaby produced a breathtaking display of speed and power in deep stretch to win the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward with ease.

Racing from off the pace, Barnaby effortlessly swept past his rivals, asserting his dominance over the seven-and-a-half-furlong (1,500m) distance. His winning margin of three-and-a-half lengths was a testament to his superiority, and his scintillating time of 1:31.2 (23.1 x 45.3 x 1:12.0 x 1:24.4) left onlookers in awe.

As the starting gates burst open, Barnaby settled into a comfortable rhythm, allowing his rivals to set the early pace. But as the field approached the final turn, Foster expertly guided Barnaby to the outside, where he unleashed a devastating burst of speed that carried him to victory.

Two-time Horse of the Year Atomica (Dane Dawkins), who took control of the race going into the half-mile (800m) and opened up rivals approaching the distance, could not withstand the late surge from
Barnaby and had to settle for second. California Crown (Ismael Velasquez) finished third.

It was the second winner on the day for Nunes, who saddled Allegiance (Reyan Lewis) in the previous race.

Also with two winners was jockey Javaniel Patterson. Patterson won aboard Awesome Anthony in the third race for trainer Patrick Taylor and Storm Valley in the fifth race for trainer Edward Walker.

Racing continues today.

— Ruddy Allen