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Lucky Thirteen to the Post for The Razorback Handicap

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2/13/21

  1   OP    The Razorback Handicap (GIII)
$600.000   4yo&Up                1 1/16m  Dirt   Hcp Weights

Big races, big purses and big horses… they all go together and we look at a big field of thirteen for the 2021 running of The Razorback Hcp (GIII) and a nice $600.000 purse.  Some of the major names you would tend to expect in such a race are not here, but it’s a solid group, to be sure.  I gave So Profound the top billing today as he just seems ready to run a big race.  Traffic got the best of him last out and I think he’s closer to the pace today.  Ice Wall is another that just needs that little extra something to pull off a big win, and with seven runner-up races last year, that little extra could add up to a lot extra.  Champion In Action is another in top form, especially off of that season-starting win at FG last out. 

Here’s The Field –

1
   Hollywood Revolution    Patterson Stables    Melancon G   118   20/1

Purchased prior to that last out start, and the barn much really like this one.  He was 99/1 in that stakes at SA and beat one horse.  They come right back against a big field and I just can’t see him being a factor here. 

2
   First Class Male    Team 7 Illusions    Garcia Mar   118   12/1

Closed out 20 with a third vs. high end claimers at SA and got the job done vs the same last out, kicking off his 21 season.  He struggled three back facing graded horses at CD, and sees similar here today, so obviously he has to improve to be part of this one.

3
   Ice Wall    RNP Stables    Bisono J   121   7/2

Only one win in 20 and that came early on in the season.  He was second in seven races last season, so just a bit more would push him over the top.  I don’t think he goes off at double-digit odds today… if he does, you’d best go getcha some.

4
   Aerialist    Mb Stables    Lanerie C J   118   9/2

Three starts back he was claimed out of a $35.000 maiden race, came back to win an OptAlw race at FL and was second in the CC Jewel at GP.  It’s another step up for this one, but hey, it’s just like playing t-ball, right?

5
   Unfold    Fractious    Vazquez R A   118   8/1

Struggled a bit facing graded foes, although he was the runner-up in the Crosby (GI) at DMR back in Aug.  His last pair were vs. NY-bred stakes company and he still couldn’t get it done so this looks like a tough spot. 

6
   Champion In Action    Night Rider Stables    Cohen D   120   7/2

Kicked off the 21 season with a nice closing win in the LA Stakes (GIII) at 37/1 odds.  I doubt that you get those type of odds here today, as that was a quick race and he seems to be in good form right now.  He also won a stakes in NOV so that’s two in three races.  Watch him.

7
   Final Decision    Nakamura Stables    Rocco J S Jr   119   6/1

Closed out 20 with a win in OptAlw company, kicking that bunch by four lengths, then started 21 with a trip to the winner’s circle taking the SSM Classic by a head, where he ran with a lot of guts.  If he can keep that going, look for him to be tough in this one as well.

8
   So Profound    Asgar    Fuentes Ru   120   3/1

Two big wins in 20 where he took the Toboggan (GIII) at AQU to start his year and then won the Met Mile (GI).  Add in a very nice third beaten a head in the BC Dirt Mile (GI) where he had the lead in the lane, you know he can run. 

9
   Eclipse My Knowledge    Nakamura Stables    Pereira T J   119   5/1

Super closing effort to just miss last out in the LA Stakes (GIII) where he was just a neck back and has been close in his last three starts, showing that he’s in good form.  He’s shown speed as well, so he is the type that can be trouble via any style. 

10
   Crafty    Estero Farms    Hernandez R M   118   7/1

He’s won two of his last four starts since being nabbed out of a $6.250 claiming race.  Was fourth in the CC Iron Horse where he gave a fairly even effort.  He needs to continue the improvement here to be in the middle of things. 

11
   Night Creature    D J C Racing Stables    Espinoza V   120   5/1

He has an up and down style, where he was fifth at BEL in a NY-bred stakes, then won the Discovery (GIII), was fifth at SA in the San Antonio (GII) then runner up in the Palos Verdes Stakes (GII) last out.  He has tactical speed and that could be helpful here. 

12
   Puppet Master    Spankys Barn    Bravo J   118   10/1

Was claimed two back for just $5.000, then was fifth in a stakes as a maiden, only to break maiden last out going wire to wire at SA.  He held on by a nose in that one, so he will probably need to pick it up to be in contention here.

13
   Set In Space    Nakamura Stables    Gonzalez El   120   9/2

His lone win was a maiden victory at WO and he was sold right after that race.  Was third in a couple of graded races, then second in the Clark Hcp (GI) at CD to close out the 20 season.  His 21 debut was forgettable running seventh in a stakes at AQU and will need to get back to that earlier form.

COZMAN  8 / 3 / 6        Willie’s Green Card    8 / 3       

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Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES