Barnes romps in Keeneland’s Perryville S. (G3)

Barnes was much the best in Saturday’s $350,000 Perryville S. (G3), rolling home an 8 ¼-length winner to give Bob Baffert his third winner of the seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

Barnes lone prior stakes win, in the San Vicente S. (G2), also came at seven furlongs.

After a swift start, Barnes was head-to-head for the lead with Taylor’s Version, with Owen Almightly also pressing the pace. After a half-mile in a very quick :44.18, Barnes took over from Taylor’s Special and led by a length turning for home. He bounded clear from there to finish in 1:23.45 on a fast track.

“Today I talked to Bob earlier, and he wanted me to break out of there very aggressive and put him forward,” said rider Jose Ortiz. “The horse helped me and I did just that. He finished the race running. I was very happy with the performance. He was ready today.”

Barnes, who sold to owner Amr Zedan for $3.2 million at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale, is 3-1-1 in seven starts and has earned $557,750.

Baffert won the initial running of the Perryville in 1999 with National Saint and took the 2006 running with Midnight Lute, who would go on to win back-to-back runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).