Barnes Wins the 2025 Perryville (G3)

They’re rough in the Pville. There’s Taylor’s version from the inside. Owen Almighty is right there. Here’s Barnes now kicking in from between horses to move up. Taylor’s version has the lead. Barnes draws alongside Owen Almighty. And then Captain Cook and Rolando further out as they head up the backstretch. Taylor’s version the leader leads it only a half length though. Barnes is there between horses second by a neck. Owen Almighty third up on the outside by a length. Captain Cook side by side at the back with Rolando as they work off the end of the backstretch. 21.69 seconds the time for the opening quarter. Taylor’s version the leader. Taylor’s version leads it by 3/4 of a length. Barnes is second between horses. Same margin. Owen Almighty wide to the far turn in third position a length and a half. Captain Cook is still fourth down toward the inside as they round the far turn and Rolando is last. Barnes is putting ahead in front. Taylor’s version still there to the inside. Barnes to the outside and that pair will come to the top of the stretch contesting the lead. A gap of five lengths. Captain Cook is fighting his way up the inside but still in third position. Owen Almighty. Then Rolando Barnes has the lead. Captain Cook tries to get going. Still four lengths away. Owen Almighty’s there to the outside. They’re all chasing Barnes. Barnes into the final furong of the Perryville. Barnes by five. Back to Captain Cook. Owen Almighty. It is all Barnes. Jose Ortiz much the best in the Perryville Barnes to win it. Captain Cook was home second, Owen Almighty third, Rolando fourth, and Taylor’s version fifth. The official winner of Keeland’s sixth race 17th running of the Perryville Stakes grade three number three Barnes owned by Zadon racing stables of Omar Zadon trained by Bob Baffford the winning jockey Jose Ortiz Barnes a three-year-old son of Into Mischief out of All-American Dream by American Pharaoh bred in Kentucky by Jeff Trown and Don Rachel LLC. Seven furongs over the fast main track 1 minute 23.45 45 seconds. Presenting the trophy for the Pville, Keeland finance assistant Laura Hornberger. Laura is retiring in early 2026, and we thank her for her years of service to Keeland. She presents to the connections of Barnes. Barnes would just not stop today in the grade three Parville Stakes for Zidon Racing. Bob Baffert and Jos Ortiz. What was different about this race that you had with him here today at Keeland versus the race up at Saratoga, Jose? Well, the race in Saratoga around the 38 pole, he he wanted to go and I was behind a wall of horse, so I had to wait. And he’s a big horse, you know, it took him a while to get going. I feel like he was the best horse that day. And today, I talked to Bob earlier and he wanted me to to break out of there very aggressive um put him forward and uh you know, the horse helped me and I I just I did just that. Were you just getting to getting him going in the latter stages? Does it seem like he would have gone around another lap and kept that same advantage? Oh yeah, you know, he finished the race running. Uh, I was very happy with the performance. He was ready today. I want to thank the the owner and Bob for giving me the opportunity to ride this amazing horse. Congratulations, Jose. Thank you, Scott. Barnes ultra impressive in today’s paraveville.