Yiannis Could Be Speediest Again in Barrera

Speed was paramount for Hronis Racing's Yiannis in his win over a loaded group of lightly-raced but talented 3-year-olds in the San Pedro Stakes April 12, and the son of Midshipman   will face another field of spry sophomores in the $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes (gr. III) May 7 at Santa Anita Park.

Yiannis was the speed of the speed in the San Pedro, taking the field gate-to-wire, and two return from that race to challenge again in the Lazaro Barrera, including second-place finisher Serbian Syclone. Yiannis survived an extended inquiry after drifting out on his rival in the stretch.

The ridgling trained by John Sadler broke his maiden at first asking going 5 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita in January, extended to six furlongs in the San Pedro, and will try seven-eighths in the Barrera, his graded-stakes debut. Yiannis will break from the rail with return rider Victor Espinoza.

"He'd showed so much speed in the morning and the reason he cost so much ($560,000) was because, when he previewed at Ocala, he ran an eighth in :09 4/5," trainer John Sadler said. "He's really fast."

BALAN: Yiannis Speediest of All in San Pedro Win

But Yiannis might not be favored in the Barrera with the entry of Fox Hill Farms' Kentuckian, who is also exiting the San Pedro but was steadied entering the turn and still was able to rally gamely to finish third. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, the Tiznow   colt won his debut at Golden Gate Fields by 11 lengths in March.

He also put down a bullet six-furlong workout (1:11 1/5) at Santa Anita May 4, will add Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, and will break from the outside post in the seven-horse field.

BALAN: Kentuckian Draws Attention at Golden Gate

Other horses entered who like to be forwardly-placed include Bob Baffert-trained The Man, who broke his maiden in his fourth try March 22 in a gate-to-wire 5 1/2-furlong event; St. Joe Bay, who has set the pace in three graded stakes before fading; and Forest Blue, an impressive debut winner April 18 at Santa Anita.

The only colt entered who seems comfortable in a closing position appears to be The Gomper, another Hollendorfer trainee who was steadied early last time out in the March 7 San Felipe (gr. II) and finished a far-back fifth to Dortmund. Hollendorfer took over training duties from Ron Ellis after the San Felipe.

Peter Miller trains Serbian Syclone, St. Joe Bay, and Forest Blue.