LRL: Barbadian Runner seems to keep rolling in Small
The Biz- November 21, 2025
Barbadian Runner, the hard-hitting Maryland-bred who shocked heavy favorite Post Time in the Maryland Million Classic, takes center stage again Saturday in the Richard W. Small Stakes at Laurel Park.
Trainer Henry Walters was not exaggerating when he called the gelding “a throwback to yesteryear.” The three-year-old gelding has made 18 starts without a break since his debut in June 2024 and has amassed $730,630 in earnings after being purchased for just $5,000.
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“He surprised me from day one,” Walters said. “We never thought he would be this good. He has gotten better every time. He has much more talent than his breeding suggests.”
By Barbados out of the unraced Northern Afleet mare Quiet Run, Barbadian Runner won the sprint stakes early in the year, stretched successfully in the off-turf Jersey Derby and showed his class at Charles Town by upsetting the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial.
The Maryland Million proposed two new tests to dethrone Class 2 winner Post Time and stretch to nine furlongs, but Walters said the gelding had hinted a longer distance was within reach.
“If you had asked me three or four months ago I would have said nine furlongs was not within his limits,” he admitted. “The race at Charles Town was seven-eighths for three-year-olds. He beat some pretty good horses and he couldn’t blow a match after the race, so you knew there was more in the tank. He just kept getting better and better.”
In the Classic, Forest Boyce used his tactical speed to seize the advantage, and Barbadian Runner dug in late to return Post Time for a three-quarter win and a career-best 96 Beyer.
“He’s tough,” Walters said. “He just loves to run horses. Give him a target and he’ll chase it, or he’ll dig in.”
Barbadian Runner weighs 124 pounds from post five as the favorite on the morning line of 6-5.
A powerful front runner for Gary Capuano, Secret Zipper is the main pace threat in his stakes debut, with Hittheroadjak, Hardspun Reason, Phantom Speed and Formal Affair also included.
Saturday’s menu also includes the Dave’s Friend and the Willa On the Move.
Takethemoneyhoney, brilliant in a local allowance blowout in April and winner of Monmouth’s Serena’s Song, is possible, although she is also entered at Parx in the 6 ½-furlong Cornucopia on November 26. She hasn’t played since May 11 and has won four of five career starts.
Takethemoneyhoney is the 3-1 morning line favorite in a competitive field of 12 horses.
Maryland Million Distaff winner Onyx Ten, stakes winner St. Benedicts Prep, speedy Miss Harriett and sharp recent runner Grammy Girl highlight a competitive Willa On the Move lineup, along with improved Sultry Lass and others.
The Willa On the Move, contested at 6 ½ furlongs for a purse of $100,000, is carded as the sixth race on a nine-race schedule. The Richard W. Small, race eight, is at nine furlongs for the same purse.
RICHARD W. ENTRY FOR SMALL STAKES
| PostPosition | Horse | Chances | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | Hittheroadjak | 6-1 | NO RIDER | Sánchez-Salomon Rodolf | JR Sanchez Racing Stable LLC |
| 2 | Phantom speed | 4-1 | Russel S | Saville Niall | Richard E. Harris & Stonegate Racing LLC |
| 3 | Formal matter | 12-1 | Hernández JF | Corrales José | Corrales Racing LLC |
| 4 | Hard reason | 7-2 | Ruiz J | Motion H Graham | Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds, LLC & Hillw |
| 5 | Barbadian runner | 6-5 | Boyce F | Walters Henry R | AJ will win Stables LLC |
| 6 | Secret zipper | 9-2 | Hazlewood Y | Capuano Gary | Frank Example |
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