(6) Barkley was impressive winning a $50,000 optional claimer in his first start since he won the Grade 3 Longacres Mile last Aug. He broke a step slow in the 5 1/2 furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up, but once he started rolling from along the rail mid-stretch, the there wasn't much doubt about the outcome.

The Howard Belvoir-trainee paid $5.00 for his victory over last year's local 3-year-old champ Sippin Fire.