Mitchell Takes His Chances With Austin Barber in Sprint

In the last couple of years, trainer Mike Mitchell has had success with gray turf specialists he has claimed.

In succession, Mitchell took Star Over The Bay, who won multiple stakes and has since died, Leprechaun Kid, who won the Del Mar Handicap in an upset last summer, and, most recently, Austin Barber.

A 5-year-old gelded son of Boston Harbor, Austin Barber hasn’t won -- or even competed -- in a stakes race yet for Mitchell, but he has been a money machine since being taken for $40,000 on Oct. 10.

Claimed by Mitchell for a partnership, Austin Barber has won three of four for his new connections, including consecutive victories at the Santa Anita meet.

A Kentucky bred, Austin Barber will cut back in distance as he seeks another win in today’s seventh race, a $52,000 optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass.

Javier Santiago, who has been the gray’s rider in all three of his wins since the claim, has the call again this afternoon against a field that includes Kewen, Whata Soldier and European imports Balavista and Blue Torpedo.

The race today will be the first time Austin Barber has sprinted since he finished ninth of 11 on Jan. 23 for former trainer Ed Halpern.

Race of the day: Terrific Storm, who has won two of three starts on the turf for trainer Todd Pletcher, will bid for his second win of the Gulfstream Park meet when he meets eight others in today’s eighth, a $37,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles. John Velazquez will ride the 5-year-old Storm Cat horse for owner-breeder Alex Campbell. Terrific Storm won at 9-2 on Jan. 8 at 1 1/16 miles.

One for the road: Knox drops out of a Grade III race into an optional claimer and should get plenty of pace in front of him in today’s eighth at Aqueduct. Ramon Dominguez will ride the 5-year-old Menifee horse, who won by 3 1/2 lengths at this level under this rider Dec. 30, for owner Maggi Moss and trainer Gary Contessa in the race at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Rathsallagh in the fifth; Iza General, Awesome Sign and Gasin The Turbo in the sixth; Kewen, Blue Torpedo and Austin Barber in the seventh; and Firm and Fair and Emotion in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/91. Money: (previous day/meet total): $12.10/$572.50. Total money bet: $546.