On October 22, 2021, the $80,000 NBS Stable's claim Spooky Channel rewarded trainer Jason Barkley with his first career graded stakes score in the Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland. After a setback that cost him over a year of racing, “Spooky” rewarded Barkley and his team once again, this time for their patience.
In what was his first start in over 14 months, the 7-year-old gelding captured Monday's $100,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.
Spooky Channel made an early move to engage the pacesetting Gentle Soul through soft fractions of :24.68 and :51.01 over a firm Stall-Wilson turf course with the rails 34 feet out. He took over at the top of the stretch under jockey James Graham and drew clear in the stretch to win by 2 1/4 lengths over the late closing English Tavern. Big Agenda checked in third.
“There was a little concern with him being off so long,” Graham said. “Jason's (trainer Barkley) plan was to have him ready for today and he did a good job. I was able to lean against him (the pacesetter) Gentle Soul the whole way. I picked him up. It took a little while to get to the next gear, but when he did, he accelerated.”
Crossing the finish line in 1:48.41, Spooky Channel paid $9.80, $5.20 and $3.00. The pacesetting 2-1 favorite Gentle Soul, who drew in off the also eligible list, settled for fourth. Temper Tantrum, Risk Manager, Bizzee Channel and Captivating Moon completed the order of finish.
With the win, the gelded son of English Channel now sports a record of 26-12-4-0 and a bankroll of $661,722.
“True team effort,” Barkley said. “James (jockey Graham) didn't fight with him. He let him do what he wanted to do. We have a lot of options. The more options the better as a trainer. We know he can win at 1 1/2 miles. We'll just let him tell us what he wants to do.”
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