Barkley, Mach One Rules bring rivalry to Emerald Downs Derby

Barkley will put his undefeated record on the line Sunday when he runs in the richest race for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs, the $75,000 Emerald Downs Derby. Once again the horse he will have to beat is Mach One Rules.

Barkley’s total margin of victory over Mach One Rules in the three stakes races for 3-year-olds at Emerald this year is a half-length.

The 1 1/8-mile race drew six horses, who each will carry 122 pounds. Post time for the Emerald Derby is 5:39 p.m. Pacific.

Barkley, trained by Howard Belvoir, carried 124 pounds in his last two races and is the only horse dropping weight. Mach One Rules is picking up two pounds.

In May, Barkley won the 6 1/2-furlong Auburn Handicap by a head over Mach One Rules. In the one-mile Coca-Cola on June 5, Barkley sat just off Mach One Rules early in the race and dropped back to fourth on the turn. But when Javier Matias wheeled him out turning for home, he rallied to wear down Mach One Rules.

It was a similar story in the 1 1/16-mile Seattle Slew on July 3. Barkley got up late to edge Mach One Rules by a head and run his record to 6 for 6.

“I thought he was beat in both races and I couldn’t believe it when he came back,” Belvoir said of the Coca-Cola and Seattle Slew. “He just finds a way to win.”

Belvoir was pleased with the way Barkley has trained coming up to the Emerald Derby but was concerned about how well he would handle the distance. Barkley has had three solid five-furlong works since his win in the Seattle Slew.

“He galloped out very strong in all of his works,” Belvoir said. “A mile and an eighth can separate them, though, and I am not confident he wants to go that far. He’s a real nice horse, so it won’t surprise me if he does.”

Barkley drew post 4 with Matias aboard.

Mach One Rules, trained by Frank Lucarelli, was undefeated until he lost by a head to Barkley in the Auburn Stakes. Similar to his narrow losses in the Seattle Slew and Coca-Cola, he held the lead at the eighth pole but couldn’t hold off his arch rival.

Mach One Rules showed he is capable of stalking the pace in the Seattle Slew, and it will be interesting to see if his usual rider, Leslie Mawing, puts him on the lead or lets him sit just off Huya.

Opportunistic and Silvertown ship in from Hastings for the Emerald Derby.

Opportunistic made his first start for trainer Troy Taylor in the $50,000 Chris Loseth on July 1, and he rallied to win the 1 1/16-mile race under David Lopez.

Lopez likes his chances Sunday.

“Despite no pace, he won very impressively last time,” he said. “I think he’s improved, and his mind is certainly in the right place. I am looking forward to the race.”

Opportunistic’s only other win came in a $75,000 maiden-claiming race at Santa Anita for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Mike Puhich is listed as his trainer for the Emerald Derby.

KEY CONTENDERS

Barkley, by Munnings

Last 3 Beyers: 78-81-84

◗ He could get a perfect trip from a stalking position.

Mach One Rules, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 78-81-84

◗ He is two heads and a neck away from being undefeated in seven starts, and he could be very dangerous if the track is favoring speed.

Opportunistic, by Sky Mesa

Last 3 Beyers: 74-68-72

◗ He has looked good on the track since his win in the Chris Loseth, and he should appreciate the shape of the race.