Emerald Downs’ has had some great rivalries over the years, but the one between Barkley and Mach One Rules is rapidly developing into a clash of titans.
Sunday already marks round three for the combatants, with unbeaten Barkley and his 5-for-5 record facing Mach One Rules in the $50,000 Seattle Slew Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.
Although five horses entered the Seattle Slew, all eyes and practically every wagering dollar will be split between Barkley (5-5-0-0-$104,775) and Mach One Rules (6-4-2-0-$113,826).
Barkley drew the No. 2 post-position with Javier Matias riding at 124 lbs, and Mach One Rules drew the No. 4 post with Leslie Mawing the jockey at 120 lbs.
The flashy sophomores already have delivered a pair of thrillers in 2016 with Barkley edging Mach One Rules by a head in 1:14.21 for 6 ½ furlongs in the Auburn Stakes, and in a virtual replay Barkley prevailed by a neck in 1:35.88 for one mile in the Coca-Cola Stakes.
Trainer Howard Belvoir said Barkley remains sharp in morning activity.
“He’s worked once a week ever since he raced, and a mile and a sixteenth is an easier race than a mile, anyway,” Belvoir said. “You have a farther run into the turn where your horse can relax a little bit before he has to switch into the lead.
“He got packed four wide the other day (in the Coca-Cola) and it shows me that he should go a route against these types of horses, anyway. Mach One Rules is a nice colt but you don’t see very many horses back up like (Barkley) did at the quarter pole and then come back on.”
The Mach One Rules camp also is pleased with their gelding’s progress.
“He worked really well the other morning and the track was pretty fast,” said assistant trainer Dennis Snowden. “So he’s coming into this race good.
“Well, Barkley and him are pretty much on the same plane and heads separated them two times in a row. Our horse has run two winning races, and that there’s going to have to be a different strategy I guess. They’re just comparable horses, it’s just a matter of who gets there first.”
With the popular Fireworks Spectacular following Sunday’s twilight program, the stands will be packed to the rafters for the Seattle Slew Stakes. Barkley, co-owned by Belvoir and Rising Star Stable III, figures to have his usual large contingent of backers adorned in red attire, while Mach One Rules, owned by Roy Schaefer’s REV Racing, also will have a big rooting section.
Should either of the two favorites falter, Super Hawk, William Crotty and Party for One—fourth, fifth and sixth in the Coca-Cola—will be waiting in the wings.
· The Seattle Slew Stakes goes as Race 6 on a 10-race card that begins at 4:30 p.m. Post time is 7:09 p.m.
