Breakin the Fever stands out

Five of the seven runners in the $50,000 George W. Barker at Finger Lakes on Monday have run in it before. Frisky Warrior and Sundae On Sunday, both of whom are 8, have a lot of experience in the six-furlong stakes for New York-breds: They each will be making their fifth consecutive Barker appearance.

But there is little doubt who is the horse to beat. Breakin the Fever won the race in 2016 and has been the Horse of the Year at Finger Lakes the past two seasons. He was a perfect 5 for 5 at the meet last year and scored his biggest career win in October, when he shipped to Belmont Park and upset Weekend Hideaway by a half-length over a sloppy track in the Hudson Handicap on Empire Classic Day.

Breakin the Fever, a 5-yearold Roaring Fever gelding, is owned and trained by his breeders, Ronnie and Debra Breed. He is 16 for 26 in his career, 13 for 15 at Finger Lakes, and has earned $470,000.

If there is one chink in his armor, it is that when he won his meet debut in a no-conditions allowance race May 10, his Beyer Speed Figure came back as a 78, which is quite low for him. When he prepped for the Barker in an allowance race a year ago, he earned an 89.

Breakin the Fever likely will step it up in the Barker, but he also will be a short price.

The field is loaded with speed, and all of the top contenders are front-runners. But if Breakin the Fever is upset, the spoiler is likely to be either Baime or Love That Jazz.

GEORGE W. BARKER, RACE 7 KEY CONTENDERS

Breakin the Fever, by Roaring Fever Last 3 Beyers: 78-97-93

◗ Jockey Nazario Alvarez is 6 for 7 aboard Breakin the Fever, with his only loss coming over the synthetic surface at Presque Isle Downs when Breakin the Fever finished ninth in the Karl Boyes Memorial.

Baime, by Star Dabbler Last 3 Beyers: 91-82-92

◗ He is 0 for 5 against Breakin the Fever and concluded last season by finishing second or third to him in three consecutive races. Still, if Breakin the Fever does not run his “A” race, Baime could be the beneficiary.

◗ The Barker will be his first start since last November. He finished third in last year’s Barker following a layoff for trainer Michael Ferraro but won his first start of the season in both 2015 and 2014. He won his career debut in 2013.

Love That Jazz, by Not For Love Last 3 Beyers: 78-67-81

◗ At 4, he is the youngest horse in the field. He was beaten a head by Breakin the Fever in his first start of the year May 10.

◗ Trained by Charlton Baker, he is 3 for 11 in his career.