Barkley, with Javier Matias riding, captures a three-quarter-length victory over archrival Mach One Rules in the $21,500 allowance feature for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs on Sunday. COURTESY TRACK PHOTO

Barkley, with Javier Matias riding, captures a three-quarter-length victory over archrival Mach One Rules in the $21,500 allowance feature for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs on Sunday. COURTESY TRACK PHOTO

Barkley edges Mach One Rules in early meet showdown

5-year-old Kentucky-bred takes prep for the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes

  • Tuesday, May 15, 2018 10:02am
  • Sports

Barkley turned in a sensational 2018 debut Sunday at Emerald Downs, unleashing a powerful stretch run and notching a three-quarter-length victory over archrival Mach One Rules in the $21,500 allowance feature for 3-year-olds and up.

With Javier Matias riding at 120 pounds, Barkley ran 5½ furlongs in a meet-fastest 1:02.94 and paid $7.60 and $3. Howard Belvoir is the winning trainer for Rising Star Stable III.

Mach One Rules, 2017 Washington Horse of the Year and Emerald Downs’ Horse of the Meeting, rallied strongly along the rail but was outfinished by Barkley through the final furlong. It was the sixth time in nine meetings that Barkley has finished ahead of Mach One Rules.

The 1-2 favorite ridden by Julien Couton at 120 pounds, Mach One Rules paid $2.20 to place. So Lucky, also trained by Belvoir, finished third, while Grinder Sparksaglo finished fourth. C R Bullitt was scratched earlier in the day.

A prep for the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes on June 3, Sunday’s race unfolded as many envisioned, with the speedster So Lucky leading through fractions of :22.28 and :45.12.

Barkley trailed the field from the inside, but was only three lengths off the pace. Angled out into the lane by Matias, Barkley accelerated powerfully and overhauled So Lucky and Mach One Rules for the victory.

A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred by Munnings, Barkley is 8-2-1 in 13 career starts with earnings of $219,150, including $11,825 for Sunday’s victory.

Mach One Rules ran well in defeat, slipping through inside into the stretch and finishing strongly to the wire. A 5-year-old Washington-bred by Harbor the Gold, Mach One Rules is 7-8-2 in 20 starts with earnings of $291,026.

Sunday’s race sets up a dandy rematch in the six-furlong Governor’s. Last year, Barkley edged Mach One Rules by a neck in 1:07.92.

Notes:

Barkley’s victory was a great birthday present for Washington Hall of Fame Trainer Howard Belvoir, 74 Sunday. … Hit the Beach ($8.80) nailed Oh Marvelous Me in the final strides to capture the $18,500 co-feature for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs. A 5-year-old Harbor the Gold gelding, Hit the Beach covered 5½ furlongs in 1:03.09 with Eswan Flores riding for trainer H.R. Mullens. … Rocco Bowen rode two winners and tops the jockeys’ standings with 15 wins, while Flores Gary Wales and Kevin Orozco are tied for second with seven wins apiece. … Racing resumes Friday with first post 6:30 p.m. The race week includes Saturday’s simulcast of Justify in the Preakness Stakes and Sunday’s annual exotic animal races.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Funny Car showing off big flames on July 19, 2024, at Pacific Raceways. Ben Ray / The Reporter
NHRA drag racing returns to Pacific Raceways for Northwest Nationals

NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart leads the headlines entering into 10th race of the season.

(Courtesy Photo - AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Kentwood grad Reese McGuire records 250th career hit in MLB

It was his 373rd game in the major leagues, playing for his fourth different franchise of his career.

Kent-based Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka went in the first round, 9th overall, of the NHL Entry Draft to the Buffalo Sabres. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
Three Kent-based T-Birds taken in 2025 NHL Entry Draft

Defenseman Radim Mrtka and center Braeden Cootes go in the first round

David Warner holds up his jersey for the Seattle Orcas. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Seattle Orcas cricket team hosts fan fest at Marymoor Park

Orcas players, coaches and owners joined fans to celebrate the start of the third year of MLC.

Kent-Meridian athlete of the year nominees. Photo provided by Robby Mullikin.
Kent-Meridian’s Samuel Doma and Riley Gardner named Athletes of the Year

In the second annual Athlete of the Year event, Kent-Meridian sweeps the competition.

t
Ex-Kentwood High star Vandersloot to miss rest of WNBA season

Chicago Sky point guard suffers torn ACL in June 7 game

Marcella Jones gives a smile a top the podium. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent-Meridian High School’s Marcella Jones shines on state stage

Kentwood’s Unified program takes second place in state track and field championships.

Mohagani Townsend (middle) stands with family and friends along with King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer (at far right) on May 28 at T-Mobile Park. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
Mariners pay tribute to Federal Way coach Joe Townsend | Photos

Family and friends gathered on the field at T-Mobile Park before the May 28 game.

Johan Zuluaga shouts after scoring the first goal of the game. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Royal rumble: KM soccer wins first state game since 1981

For the first time since 1981, the Royals have reached the main draw of the state tournament.

2024 Unified champion partner and athlete nominees. Photo provided by ROBBY MULLIKIN
Athlete of the Year voting is now open

Read about the nominees and select your choice for Kent’s male and female Athlete of the Year.

Liberty’s Emi Connell approaches home plate with a smile. Ben Ray / The Reporter
State tournament previews: Boys soccer and fastpitch

Local high schools prepare for the state tournament.

Jo Thompson swarmed after hitting a walk-off double. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge fastpitch goes 1-2 in districts

Chargers walk-off Battle Ground, but fall to Puyallup the next day.