Mach One Rules is too fit to sit

Mach One Rules, Washington’s 2017 horse of the year, will make his seasonal debut in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance race Sunday at Emerald Downs. The race drew five horses, including Barkley, who holds an edge in head-to-head meetings with Mach One Rules.

Trainer Frank Lucarelli was hoping for Mach One Rules to make his first start of the year in an allowance race at Golden Gate a couple of weeks ago and then bring him back to Emerald for the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes on June 3. However, his plan didn’t pan out when Mach One Rules was the only horse to enter the race.

Lucarelli then thought he would bring Mach One Rules into the Governor’s off a string of works. Plan B changed when the 5-year-old Washington-bred worked a bullet five furlongs in a sizzling 57.60 seconds last Sunday.

“I think he was telling me that he’s had enough practice and that it was time to get on with the real thing,” Lucarelli said. “He is obviously ready to go.”

Last year, Mach One Rules finished second to Barkley by a neck in the Governor’s and then won three of the four remaining stakes for older horses at Emerald. His only loss was a runner-up finish behind Gold Rush Dancer in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile.

Following his victory in the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic on Aug. 27, he shipped to Santa Anita where he was unsuccessful trying turf for the first time in the $75,000 Obviously Mile on Oct. 7. He closed his 4-year-old campaign with a big effort on Tapeta at Golden Gate, but lost by a nose to Right Hand Man in the $51,625 Oakland Stakes on Nov. 18.

If his work last Sunday is any indication, he’s ready to pick up from where he left off.

“I am expecting him to run well, but it’s a solid field and it should be a good race,” Lucarelli said.

Mach One Rules will break from post 2 with Julien Couton riding.

The race has a $50,000 claiming option in addition to the allowance conditions, but none of the entrants is in for the tag.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mach One Rules, by Harbor the Gold Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-83

◗ His sensational work last Sunday tells us all we need to know about his readiness, but 5 1/2 furlongs might be short of his best distance.

Barkley, by Munnings Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-84

◗ He’s been working nicely for trainer Howard Belvoir and can fire fresh.

◗ Prior to finishing fourth to Mach One Rules in the Budweiser last year he finished in front of Mach One Rules in six straight races.

So Lucky, by Coast Guard Last 3 Beyers: 73-57-54

◗ Also trained by Belvoir, the local 2-year-old champ in 2016 ran only twice as a 3-year-old last year, but he is the speed of the speed and could take them a long way if he breaks on top from his outside post. Jennifer Whitaker rides.