Interference ruling gives Dedicated to You victory in Budweiser Stakes

Riser, sent off as the 2-5 favorite, was much the best in the $50,000 Budweiser Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

However, the stewards ruled he caused interference with Barkley at the start, and that it was enough to place him behind Barkley, who finished last. Dedicated to You was awarded the victory in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint and paid $24.20.

With Juan Hernandez aboard, Riser broke outward from the rail and bumped Barkly, who had broken a step slow. Riser went on to post interior fractions of 22.15 and 44.19 seconds. He held a three-length lead at the top of the stretch and was never threatened by Dedicated to You, who rallied late with Rocco Bowen riding.

The final margin was 2 3/4 lengths. Mach One Rules finished third after chasing Riser early. Barkley never got into the race while finishing behind Mah Gellin.

The final time was 1:15.65.

With Bowen riding the Washington-bred son of Purim for the first time, Dedicated to You chased Riser before fading to finish fourth in the $50,000 Governor’s in his initial outing this year on June 3.

“They thought I was crazy when I told them I was going to take him back today,” Bowen said. “I got to know him last time and I didn’t want to knock him out going after Riser. I had a plan and it worked out well.”

Dedicated to You is trained by David Martinez. It was just the third win for the lightly raced 6-year-old homebred who is owned by Coal Creek Farm.