Barkley keeps perfect record intact in Coca Cola Stakes

Despite packing high weight of 124 pounds and washing out during the post parade, Barkley remained undefeated for trainer Howard Belvoir with a neck win over Mach One Rules in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

At the quarter pole, Belvoir said he gave up on Barkley, who seemed to be backing up just when he should have been making a move in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds. He was ridden by Javier Matias.

“I thought he was done,” said Belvoir. “Thankfully, Javier didn’t think so. He rode him great and never gave up.”

Matias had Barkley ($5.60) sitting just off Mach One Rules, who was carving out modest fractions of 24.77 and 48.56 seconds. Barkley looked like he was moving into contention on the stretch turn but then dropped back to fourth. When Matias moved him out to the middle of the track he started to get back into the race and he finished with a rush to edge Mach One Rules by a half-length. The longshot William Crotty made a strong move around the stretch turn but couldn’t sustain his momentum and tired to finish fourth. Access This rallied along the rail to get up for third.

The final time was 1:35.88.