Barkley, Crazy Prophet could clash later this season

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Barkley and Crazy Prophet were impressive winners in their 3-year-old debuts last Sunday, and they could face each other in the $75,000 Emerald Downs Derby on July 31 or the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 10. If either horse wins both races, he will receive a $25,000 bonus.

Barkley remained undefeated with his two-length win over On Fire in a six-furlong allowance race at Emerald Downs. Trained by Howard Belvoir, Barkley overcame adversity to win his initial start as a 2-year-old and then got up in time to win the $48,000 Emerald Downs Express last July before going on the shelf.

In his race last Sunday, Barkley was in a stalking position early. When Javier Matias called on him at the top of the stretch, he took off and was in complete control of the race by midstretch. Belvoir was obviously pleased with Barkley’s strong performance but wasn’t looking that far down the road with his talented 3-year-old.

“He came out of the race in great shape, and of course the Emerald Derby is in the back of our minds,” said Belvoir. “But right now, we are just looking at the Auburn.”

The 6 1/2-furlong, $50,000 Auburn is on May 15 at Emerald Downs. If all goes well, Barkley will stretch out to a middle distance for the first time in the one-mile, $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes on June 5.

“I think he’ll go long,” said Belvoir. “Javier said he was full of run early but that he was easy to rate.”

Crazy Prophet’s neck win over $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity winner Power Corrupt last Sunday at Hastings wasn’t as visually impressive as Barkley’s flashy performance. However, he was stuck on the rail in the optional $25,000 claiming race before Pedro Alvarado moved him between horses at the top of the stretch. Once he made the lead, it never looked like he would lose the six-furlong dash. He also galloped out very strongly.

It was his third straight win, and he proved he can handle a middle distance when he won the 1 1/16-mile, $75,000 Ascot Graduation in his last start as a juvenile.

Similar to Belvoir, trainer Jim Brown isn’t looking too far down the road. Crazy Prophet came out of the race in excellent shape and will make his next start in the $50,000 Jim Coleman Province on May 8 at Hastings.

“One race at a time,” said Brown. “He had trained so well that I was pretty sure he was going to run a big race. He does everything right, and the best thing about him is that he is a better horse going long.”

Crazy Prophet will get to stretch out to 1 1/16 miles in the $50,000 Chris Loseth on July 1.