Seattle Ruler upsets Barretts Juvenile

POMONA, Calif. - After losing five times on synthetic surfaces, the 2-year-old maiden colt Seattle Ruler switched to conventional dirt for the first time Sunday at Fairplex Park. The result was a good-looking $15.80 upset in the .

Mike Harrington trains Seattle Ruler, who won by three lengths under Martin Garcia. The Skinny Man finished second. Bench the Judge finished third. The favorite, Magic Max, was briefly stuck behind traffic on the far turn and finished fourth. Wings of Sound was wide, misfired, and finished sixth.

The result of the Barretts Juvenile flattered the form of the Aug. 29 Del Mar maiden race won by the promising 2-year-old Dave in Dixie. Barretts one-two finishers Seattle Ruler and The Skinny Man finished more than three lengths behind Dave in Dixie last out.

Seattle Ruler was taking off blinkers for the first time, and it made a difference according to the jockey.

"He relaxed better," Garcia said.

Seattle Ruler raced three wide while in the clear, hit the front passing the three-sixteenths, and finished strongly.

The stakes win by Seattle Ruler, a son of Roman Ruler, could affect the pace scenario for the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes on Oct. 4 at Santa Anita. Harrington said he will nominate Seattle Ruler to the Norfolk, and "see what happens." The colt looked strong finishing the 6 1/2-furlong Barretts in 1:18.06.

If he does show up as a pacesetter/pace factor in the Norfolk, Seattle Ruler would likely hook division leader Lookin at Lucky, California-bred stakes winner John Scott, and Dave in Dixie.