The 18th Running of the G3 Razorback Handicap
Saturday, February 18, 2023
OP Race #1 $600.000
4+ Handicap Weights 11/16
Course/Stakes Record-1:40.34 (Jesse James-2012)
#1 Jolly Rook (Angelos Stable/S. Elliott 119): 6yo started his season with a show in a SA ALW last month. He’s proven at this level and catches a pretty good weight situation. Draws the rail and he definitely has a nose for the wire.
#2 Quality Art (Mb Stables/D.E. Centeno 119): Have to go back to June to find anything resembling a sub-par effort for this 5yo. No matter the course/trip, he’s pretty consistent in his efforts. New engine may be a better fit for this one’s style.
#3 Be Lucky (Parkers Pride/A. Pusac 117): 5yo hasn’t faced these types yet in his previous 13 efforts, and he’ll get a stiff test for class following a win in the barn-debut. These types can be dangerous in handicaps because, while they like to win, their company lines keep their impost down.
#4 High Time (Maxmillion Farm/Mar. Garcia 117): 4yo made his seasonal bow in a $150.000 CA-bred stake, but he’ll make his engine debut here. Hasn’t been afraid to get on the gas since transferring barns back in June and gets in without giving weight to anyone.
#5 Electile Dysfunction (TwinTowersRacing/J. Talamo 117): Colt has three wins, all in the overnight ranks, and takes another crack at this G3 level. Relatively lightly raced, but a repeat of the two back AQU score could make him very competitive in this spot.
#6 Lion Lake (Night Rider Stables/J.J. Castellano 119): 6yo enters here in good form with two wins and six ITM finishes in his last six starts. Not ideal that he has to give a handful of these a pound or two, but he’s been knocking on this door in his last three starts.
#7 Ags Cherokee (RNP Stables/G. Corrales 121): Gets the high weight designation following two runner-up efforts at the G1-level where he was beaten less than 1.5 lengths total. Just missed from the rail in his initial try on this engine, but he may be one that relishes getting off the pine this time.
#8 Buy Low Sell High (Asgar/V. Espinoza 117): 4yo gelding picks a tough spot to make his first start going two turns, but he’s a stake-winning sprinter going seven-panels. Doesn’t have to show speed but wouldn’t expect him to give himself too much to do.
#9 Cheveley Park (Mo Mentum Farm/E. Maldonado 120): G3-winning colt took a GP N1X in his seasonal debut on this engine. Will only receive weight from the high weight and that could be an issue for a newly turned 4yo.
#10 America First (TwinTowersRacing/Ru. Gonzalez 118): Winless since last May, he ended his season after back-to-back duds in the fall. Comes off the bench to find a tough assignment awaits him, but the work tab suggests he’ll be fit enough if he’s good enough.
#11 Sunset Wolf (Night Rider Stables/F. Prat 117): 6yo was claimed four-back, but he’s only raced three times for the new barn since getting tagged a year ago. This will be his toughest assignment to date, but he was running well when sent to the bench.
#12 Golden Authority (Asgar/A. Beschizza 117): 4yo gelding is winless in only two route attempts, and only one of those was on the main track. The last three times we saw him, he was sprinting on the lawn in the fall. Will be interesting to see the trip from this wide gate.
Final Analysis: 2-6-5 is how we’ll play it. Good luck to all of the G3 Razorback Handicap participants!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
