Evenly matched field in Razorback Handicap
By: Laurie Ross, Pedigree Power
Gun Runner started his 2017 campaign with a dominating 5 3/4 triumph and ended the year with championship honors. Last year's winner, Mystic Guide, used the Razorback to prep for his victory in the Dubai World Cup (G1).
This year's field doesn't have a stand-out, as most of them have taken turns winning on the older horse circuit.
Let's look at the ones most likely to hit the board.
Plainsman (7-2) ran a terrific race in the Cigar Handicap (G1) despite trouble in the stretch. First, he was bottled up on the rail behind the pace. Then lacked running room in the stretch, bouncing off Americanrevolution to his outside, while stuck behind Code of Honor, and then had to steady slightly in the final furlong behind Americanrevolution as that one came over in front of Plainsman on his way to victory. There's no doubt that this Brad Cox-trained horse might have won with a better trip. Win contender.
Promise Keeper (4-1) kicks off his 5-year-old season in the Razorback. After a 2 1/4 length victory in the Peter Pan (G3), he finished fourth, beaten a length in a blanket finish in the Ohio Derby (G3). Since last June, the Todd Pletcher trainee has been away from the races but has recorded consistent works at Palm Beach Downs. Win contender.
Lone Rock (3-1) has finished first or second in every start since being claimed last February by Robertino Diodoro, including a runaway 11-length victory in last year's Brooklyn Handicap (G2). In his final start last year, Lone Rock battled with stablemate Thomas Shelby in Oaklawn's Tinsel Stakes, and he outlasted that rival by 3/4 length. The gelded son of Majestic Warrior returns from a brief freshening and has tactical speed. Win contender.
Last year's Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Super Stock (9-2) has found a home on the mid-west circuit. He was given a freshening by Steve Asmussen after missing by 3/4 length to Last Samurai in the Poinsettia Stakes and fired a second-to-last bullet here. Super Stock is a solid competitor but faced weaker competition with mixed results after last year's upset in the Arkansas Derby. Exotics.
Although not as accomplished as his stablemate, Thomas Shelby (6-1) has finished in the money in 18 of 25 career starts. He had the misfortune to just miss in his last two starts against Lone Rock and Rated R Superstar. Thomas Shelby is a stubborn foe, but he'll have to contend with other speed-types. Exotics.
The old man in the field, the 9-year-old Rated R Superstar (8-1), finished out of the money only twice last year. He won his first start off the layoff in the Fifth Season Stakes, beating Thomas Shelby. The Federico Villafranco trainee is competitive against listed types. Exotics.
Analysis
The Razorback has plenty of speed, although Thomas Shelby is the only confirmed "need the lead" type.
Promise Keeper has plenty of speed, and he could help keep things interesting on the front end.
Plainsman drew an outside post, and recent Eclipse Champion Jockey Joel Rosario should give him a better trip.
Throw a dart at the past performances for lesser awards since the rest are evenly matched.
#8 Plainsman (7-2)
#3 Lone Rock (3-1)
#4 Rated R Superstar (8-1)
#5 Promise Keeper (4-1)
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