Mach One Rules just gets up in Budweiser Stakes
Under a well-timed ride by Isaias Enriquez, Mach One Rules edged Prime Engine in the $50,000 Budweiser Stakes at Emerald Downs Sunday. He paid $10.20 for his three-quarter-length victory in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up.
Mach One Rules broke sharply from post 6 and was eased off Prime Engine and The Press, who dueled for the lead while posting fractions of 22.26 for the quarter-mile and 44.06 for the half. Prime Engine opened up a clear lead in the stretch and held a 2 1/2-length advantage over Mach One Rules at the eighth pole. But Mach One Rules closed with determination in the stretch to get up in the closing yards.
Togrammashousewego rallied to finish third. Barkley, who was sent off as the 9-5 favorite, had a rough trip while finishing fourth. He appeared to be full of run, but lacked running room throughout the stretch.
Barkley’s trainer, Howard Belvoir, lodged an objection against Mach One Rules for alleged interference in the stretch, but the stewards allowed the result to stand.
The final time was 1:13.94.
Mach One Rules had lost to Barkley by a neck or less in four straight stakes coming into the Budweiser.
“We changed his style and he gave me a big finish,” said Enriquez.
Trainer Frank Lucarelli felt relieved and redeemed following the strong performance by Mach One Rules.
“I may be dumb, but I kept saying he was as good as Barkley,” he said.
It was the first win for Mach One Rules since 2015, when he won three stakes at Emerald and was voted the champion 2-year-old in Washington. The 4-year-old Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold is owned by Roy and Ellie Schaefer, who race under the stable name R E V Racing.
The $27,500 Mach One Rules received for his win brought his career earnings to $181,856.