Mucho Amor cruises to victory in Seattle Stakes

Despite being difficult to load, Mucho Amor was all business when she came out of the starting gate in the $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs on Sunday. With Juan Hernandez aboard, she won the six-furlong dash by a comfortable six lengths.

She paid $3.80 for her dominating win over 51-1 longshot Alittlesstalk.

Hernandez had the Kentucky-bred daughter of Mucho Macho Man in a stalking position while going four wide early. She took command on the turn, and the race was pretty much over when she opened up a clear lead turning for home. Alittlelesstalk rallied to finish second over Killarney Lass, who dueled with Timberlake Gage before being overwhelmed by the winner.

The final time over a fast surface was 1:09.76.

“She’s a real nice filly,” said Hernandez. “She was nervous trying to load, but she was ready to go when the gate opened.”

Mucho Amor races for Ten Broeck Farm and is trained by Blaine Wright.

Weight was surprised by her antics behind the gate.

“She’s never done that before and she was perfect when we took her to the gate yesterday,” he said. “We’ll figure out what was bothering her and get it straightened out.”

Barkley impresses in return

Also impressive was Barkley who rallied to win a $50,000 optional claiming race earlier on the card. It was his first start since he won the Grade 3 Longacres Mile on August 12. He was ridden by Javier Matias.

Despite breaking a step slow, Barkley easily won the 5 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up by 2 1/4 lengths. Last year’s local 3-year-old champ Sippin Fire finished second.

The Howard Belvoir-trained 6-year-old paid $5 and posted a final time of 1:02.98.