The Razorback Handicap (Grade 3)- $500.000 Purse
OP- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
February 20, 2017

I promise, this is not fake virtual racing news.

This President’s Day, we were treated to the 12th running of the Razorback Handicap, and it certainly was noticed that a horse named Democrat Politician would be the entry of choice for those in the stands just playing names.  It would seem to be fate, after all.  However, looking at what would be Democrat Politician’s necessary path to victory, it didn’t seem as though he would be able to get the job done.  Looking at the oddsboard, the general public were placing their votes of confidence towards others, including one with a large Swiss Bank Account, and the horse of choice, perhaps getting a lot of support from one particular demographic, was Spanish Pedals.  Democrat Politician hung towards the back most of the way, but he had quite a charge coming for the stretch.  In the end, he would get all the way to the front and pick up a stunning victory.  Fittingly of course, in virtual Arkansas.  The proud winning campaign manager was trainer Kopites who wins the race for the first time.  Doing the dirty work in the trenches was jockey J L Ortiz, who also won the race for the first time.  Congratulations to the winners!  The ending race time was 1:41.06, placing it midpack with prior editions.  Let’s look a little more about how this race went down!

1st- 4- Democrat Politician (7/1)- Our eventual winner from Kopites got off to a rather average start overall, and looked to be happy running in the middle of the pack.  Though in the opening turn, he backed off about a length, and was running seventh overall, side by side with Swiss Bank as the field moved on to the backstretch portion of the event.  The gap was four and a half at this point, but he always seemed to have a good position on the race track that figured to keep him out of trouble.  Moved to the outside of Rising Light in an important move heading into the turn, and would be about four wide as he went around.  He had gained a length on the leaders, and had a clear lane for the stretch despite having to handle the turn as wide as he did.  Still, at the top of the stretch, you knew he was coming but it was uncertain that he would have enough time to catch the leaders as he still had two lengths to make up with a furlong and a half to go.  Ran hard in the stretch with a much stronger stride then the new leader Grandeur had, partially as a credit to him, and partially because Grandeur didn’t have another gear to respond to this challenge. Democrat Politician got up just in time, and picks up the big win!  Democrat Politician is a five year old gelding by Eastern Change (by Charley Farley) and out of the autogen Alycross.  He was bred in Kentucky by Team 7 Illusions as a third quarter two year old, and was acquired by Kopites via Australia Wide, in private sales in August 2016 for $100.000.  This is the third graded win of his career.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 6- Grandeur (7/1)- Started quickly from the gate for trainer Mb Stables, and was one of three vying for the early lead moving into the turn before opting for a stalking position behind Carneyman in the early moments.   Maintained a steady cruising speed over the backstretch, and had the good fortune of the Muscle Shoals decision to run in the third lane, rather then the second, so when Grandeur prepared to move by Carneyman, there was no one in his way.  Looked good while rounding the turn, and took over the second position just prior to the stretch run.  All the was left now was to get by the great Carneyman and hope that no one would come from behind and catch him.  With a furlong to go, he had taken the lead, and it was looking real good.   Democrat Politician was still a length and a half behind him.  In the dying moments, though, Grandeur would not be able to hold off that rival and barely held on to second over Rising Light as well.

3rd- 3- Rising Light (11/1)- Despite making him our pick in the preview, this Nakamura Stables entry went off as a sizeable longshot.   The start of the race for him was rather average, as he would run right in the heart of the pack, between Swiss Bank Account and Democrat Politician around the turn and into the backstretch.  Remained fifth during the backstretch, but allowed Democrat Politician to get by as they moved into the turn.  Midway into the turn, we began to see his push, looking to run behind Grandeur with the potential of moving between him and Carneyman if he had the run in him.  He had the run, and he actually poured it on pretty nicely in the latter moments.  Unfortunately for the trainer, the wire came up too soon.

4th- 7- Muscle Shoals (5/1)- The entry from TwinTowersRacing may have been told by his trainer that if there is one horse not to lose too, its Democrat Politician.  This colt was not immediately quick from the starting gate, but used the opening turn more then any other in the field to advance his position, and would be second at the top of the backstretch.  Ran in the third lane over the backstretch, pressuring Carneyman, but never actually taking the lead from him. That third lane became about four wide while rounding the turn and into the stretch.  He remained in good form at the top of the stretch, and battled with Grandeur hard, but could not quite keep up with him.   Trainer will be disappointed that he was caught and passed by Rising Light late.

5th- 5- Carneyman (6/1)- We know that the John Henry entry always shows up and runs great when running in the most prestigious races out there.  Perhaps, the Razorback Handicap was not a bright enough spotlight for him.  He was sharp early, though, setting the opening quarter in :23.75.  Over the backstretch, he maintained a consistent and graceful stride, keeping a length lead, and would run a half in :47.21.   Muscle Shoals began to put pressure on him while rounding the turn, and soon Grandeau also loomed as a threat.  He may not have seen Democrat Politician at this point, since that one was well on the outside.  Showed his champion heart until a little less then a furlong to go, when he bowed out.

6th- 9- Spanish Pedals (7/2)- The surprising post-time favorite, running for Scarletandgreystable, was a little slow out of the gate, and would have been at the back if not for the lethargic starts of Rapid Refund and King De Bois.  Stayed in the eighth position while rounding the turn, and I was expecting him to make a wide move since it seemed to be his only hope.  Eventually, he did, but it seemed like it was a rather late decision by M Rainford (who got the mount late after initially having C S Nakatani pegged for the ride).  Seemed to have more in the tank, so I’d be curious to see him running longer.  That will not happen, as very quickly, he was retired after the race, and miraculously he is already a father!

7th- 1- Swiss Bank Account (5/1)- Used to starting on the rail, the Threshold entry was in the middle of the field while rounding the opening turn, about three and a half lengths from the lead. Hung with the field, without a push forward over the backstretch, and seemed to still be in a good stride while rounding the turn along the rail leading to the stretch run.  When it came time to run, he did not have it, and while he was able to run with the pack, there was never a point in this race where it looked like he was going to make any type of advance.

8th- 8- Red Leaf (15/1)- The Yahudi Stables entry was quickest of them all out of the gate initially, and ran well into the turn before ultimately conceding the lead to Carneyman.  He dropped back a little more for the backstretch trip, and was about two lengths out. Remained with the lead four over the backstretch, and seemed to be in a good striking position, if he had the run in him moving into the turn.  In the stretch, he just did not have it, but he faded back a little further then he probably should have.

9th- 11- Rapid Refund (19/1)- From his outside post, the Grimley entry was flat out of the gate, but he can be a deep closer, so no reason to be worried quite yet.  During the backstretch run, we saw no push forward from at all, and moving into the turn, you really had to wonder if he had it in him today. He did not.

10th- 2- King De Bois (25/1)- The entry from Namor Farms was sluggish out of the gate immediately, and was in back of the field before you could blink an eye.  Remained in the back of the field, keeping Rapid Refund company in the backstretch.  He must have enjoyed that company instead of racing, because they remained inseparable.  In fairness though, he was out of his league here.

Track: Fast
Time: :23³  :47¹  1:10³  1:41

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 6 Paid 110.00
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 6 – 3 Paid 1,355.80

Scratched: Port On The Horizon

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES