Distinctiv Passion, Prime Engine bring speed to Governor's

Substantial speed will be on display when Prime Engine and Distinctiv Passion hook up in the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday. The edge could go to Distinctiv Passion, who seeks his fourth straight win. He also drew post 5, while Prime Engine can’t make any mistakes after breaking from the rail in the six-furlong dash that drew seven horses.

When Prime Engine, trained by Michael Puhich, is on top of his game, he can be a handful, like in his first start this year going 5 1/2 furlongs in a $50,000 optional claimer at Emerald on April 22. Breaking alertly from the outside post with Eswan Flores aboard, Prime Engine carved out wicked interior fractions of 21.29 and 42.89 seconds en route to a convincing 3 1/2-length win over Barkley, the top 3-year-old in the Pacific Northwest last year.

It was the 5-year-old’s first win since he won the $68,750 Emerald Derby in 2015.

“He’s had a few small issues that turned into big ones,” Puhich said. “Right now, he’s the best he’s been since he was a 2-year-old. I expect him to run well.”

Puhich is well aware of the obstacles facing Prime Engine on Sunday, the main one being the multiple Grade 3-winning sprinter Distinctiv Passion, who is on a roll, with three straight wins. Distinctiv Passion has just one way of going, while Prime Engine is more than capable of winning from a stalking position.

Puhich thinks he doesn’t have many options breaking from the inside post though. He also doesn’t want to give the race away.

“If you’re going to play against Michael Jordan, you have to take the ball away from him,” Puhich said. “I don’t think we have much choice, but I will leave it up to the rider.”

That would be Flores, who retains the mount.

Distinctiv Passion also reeled off rapid fractions in winning his last start, the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural at Hastings on April 23. He was going to be heavily favored to win the George Royal there last Sunday but scratched.

“He got an infection in one of his legs,” said Phil Hall, his trainer at Hastings. “He’s fine now, and I put him on the van [Friday] morning. He should be in Bellingham right about now.”

Distinctiv Passion’s win in the Swift was his first start for owner Peter Redekop, who claimed him out of his front-running win in a $62,500 optional claimer at Santa Anita on March 30.

Blaine Wright will be the trainer of record Sunday. Redekop shelled out $1,250 to supplement Distinctiv Passion to the Governor’s.

If the expected duel develops, Barkley, trained by Howard Belvoir, may pick up the pieces.

KEY CONTENDERS

Distinctiv Passion, by With Distinction
Last 3 Beyers: 89-86-96

◗ By drawing a better post, the class of the party has a distinct advantage over Prime Engine, who could be up against it breaking from the rail.

Prime Engine, by Northern Afleet
Last 3 Beyers: 95-49-89

◗ Puhich loved the way he worked a half-mile in 47.40 seconds at the Pegasus Training Center on May 17; he could be sitting on a huge effort in his second start back.

Barkley, by Munnings
Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-78

◗ He should be rolling late in his second start as a 4-year-old, and it is hard not to like a horse with six wins and two runner-up finishes from eight starts.