The Razorback Handicap – GIII
2/17/20
OP Race 2 1 1/16M – Dirt
Purse $500.000
Four Year Olds and Up

A very good field has been entered up here for this years running of the grade three Razorback Handicap over the Oaklawn Park surface. A full field of twelve with very many great runners in this field is making it a super competitive race. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Red Cup (17-3-3-3 $827.840), trained by John Henry

First up in this stacked field here is this runner and he is entering this race off of a third place finish in the grade three Tropical Turf. He was also fifth in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile last year. He is a very talented runner but I think there is some runners that are a little better in this field.

2. Downwind Revenge (12-4-1-2 $228.350), trained by Royalty Racing

Now onto this horse who is coming into this race off of a win in a non two lifetime allowance race back at Gulfstream Park. He went all the way on the lead that day and ran very good. But this is a giant task for this runner and he has not shown enough to win this type of race.

3. Candlestick (16-3-1-2 $220.600), trained by Mb Stables

Surprisingly the only entry in this field from Mb Stables and he has made a decent career so far out of sprinting with this horse. He was third in the grade one Santa Anita Sprint Championship last year. He will stretch out here and try to earn his first win around two turns.

4. Market Value (13-4-3-2 $184.340), trained by Nakamura Stables

And now onto this runner here who is coming into this race off of a win in the Prairie Bayou Stakes at Turfway. He finally got a stakes win in the race after close finishes in a few others. He needs to run a career best to have a shot in this race. He seems outclassed in here.

5. Marx On The Moon (14-3-2-2 $504.200), trained by Court Jester Racing

Next up in the field here is this runner and he is another very talented runner but he cannot seem to get the job done when the money is on the line. He was ninth in the Pegasus World Cup last out. He has the ability to win this but he needs to show it on the track.

6. Gran Z (13-3-3-5 $249.700), trained by Maxmillion Farm

First runner for Maxmillion Farm in the race here and this one is entering this race off of a win in a statebred stakes race at Tampa Bay on the mud. He will stretch out in this race and face some very tough competition. He needs to improve big time to win this spot.

7. Gunpowder Choice (12-3-3-1 $197.420), trained by Night Rider Stables

Next up in the field is the third place finisher out of the grade one Pegasus World Cup. That was by far the best race he has ever ran in his career and if he can keep that momentum going he stands a very big chance in here. He looks to be one of the main contenders in this race.

8. First Down Dash (9-3-4-0 $140.480), trained by John Henry

Second in the field for John Henry here and this runner is coming into this race off of a second place finish in a wide open allowance race at Fair Grounds. They ran very quick that day and he ran well but this is a giant step up. He has to run even better to win in here.

9. Nav Man (14-5-0-3 $373.900), trained by Aml Racing

Next horse up and he is coming into the race off of a win in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park. He won very easily in that spot and is now going to take a shot in here. He will have to run huge but he seems to be moving forward with every start.

10. Catch A Buzz (16-6-3-2 $254.730), trained by Maxmillion Farm

Other runner from the Maxmillion Farm barn and he is coming into this race off of a win in the Claiming Crown Jewel at Gulfstream Park. He ran a definitely career best race that day. He is making a big step up in class and he will be tested like never before. He looks a little outclassed.

11. Instagooglefacetweet (17-3-2-3 $494.800), trained by Threshold

Next up here and this is a graded stakes winner of the grade two Marathon last year. He was narrowly defeated in the Caribbean Classic in his last start but he looks primed to run a big race. He does have a very tough post though and he will probably be near the front. Going to need some racing luck but he is capable of winning.

12. Pretty Ferro (23-9-5-1 $3928.160), trained by Estero Farms

A former Kentucky Derby champion here and he oozes class over the rest of this field but he seems to have seen his best racing days. He still runs hard every out but with this post he is definitely up against it in here. He needs a whole lot of things to go right so he can win.

Summary

A very tough field to pick a winner from as there is definitely no standout in this field. The best two runners look to be Gunpowder Choice and Instagooglefacetweet. It will be a competitive race and many have a chance at the win. Good luck to all in the field.

11-7-9-1

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES