Barkley gives Belvoir third Longacres Mile victory

Barkley rallied to win the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

Ridden by Javier Matias, he paid $7.40 for his 1 1/2-length win over Alert Bay. It was the third win in the most prestigious race at Emerald for trainer Howard Belvoir.

“This is way up there, I might need a parachute to come down,” Belvoir said.

Barkley sat midpack early, moved between horses to take the lead at the eighth pole, and took control of the race in the final sixteenth.

Alert Bay, who was making his first start in just over 13 months, stalked the early pace set by Kaabraj, made his presence known while going five-wide on the stretch turn, looked dangerous midstretch, but hung late. Oh Marvelous Me chased Kaabraj through interior fractions of 23.47 and 46.08 seconds, took over the lead at the six-furlong mark, but couldn’t hold off the two while finishing third.

Barkley posted a final time of 1:34.93.

“He really proved himself today,” Matias said. “Things happen in short fields, but I think I rode him good today.”

A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred horse by Munnings, Barkley is owned by Rising Star Stables 111. The $108,900 winner’s share of the purse brought his career earnings to $351,800.

The Mile was one of four stakes on the card and anchored a 50 cent All Stakes Pick 4 that paid $12,081.45

Emerald Downs Distaff

Reginella upset her heavily favored stablemate, Top Quality, in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Distaff. With Juan Hernandez riding, the Blaine Wright-trained 4-year-old daughter of Minister’s Wild Cat came from just off the pace to win the 1 1/8-mile race by 2 3/4 lengths. Top Quality looked like she was going to blow by the field turning for home, but couldn’t get past Reginella, who found another gear. No Talking Back finished third.

The final time was 1:48.68.

Reginella is owned by Luigi and Diana Pietro.

Aikman Juliet wins Barbara Shinpock

Aikman Juliet broke on top but was eased into a stalking positon by Anne Sanguinetti before asserting herself in the stretch in the $50,000 Barbara Shinpock. She paid $5.70 for her 2 3/4-length win over Twirling Dev in the six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies. Northwest Factor finished third.

The final time was 1:10.47.

The daughter of Comic Strip is trained and was bred by Paul Treasure. Treasure also owns the Idaho-bred with Harry Bettis.

This Great Nation takes WTBOA Lads

This Great Nation pulled off a shocking upset in the $50,000 WTBOA Lads for 2-year-old colts and geldings. He paid $98.90 for his 2-length win over 25-1 shot Jack Van Berg in the six-furlong race. Reno Roy rallied to finish a neck behind in third.

The $1 1-9 exacta paid $1,167.40, the 50 cent 1-9-6 trifecta was worth $10,621.55, and the 10-cent 1-9-6-2 superfecta paid $9,005.04.

With Erick Lopez riding, This Great Nation broke alertly from the rail and dueled with Jack Van Berg before edging clear in the deep stretch.

The final time was 1:10.84.

A Washington-bred son of Nationhood, This Great Nation races for Art McFadden and is trained by Felimon Alvarado.