Picture: Coady Media / Oaklawn Park
magnitude He received a ticket to the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) to be held within the United Arab Emirates on March twenty eighth with a straightforward win in G3 and received a prize of $500,000. razorback handicap Saturday at Oaklawn for older horses.
“The horse has all the time had nice expertise, however I feel at this time was his greatest efficiency but,” coach Steve Asmussen stated.
The 4-5 favourite, educated by Winchell Thoroughbred Corridor of Famers, headed dwelling with a 3 3/4 size lead over high contender Nu What’s New underneath the assured dealing with of Jose Ortiz. Third place Gould’s Gold was 3 1/4 lengths behind, adopted by Echo Once more, Woodcote and Sandman.
An estimated 32,500 spectators watched the 1 1/16 mile race. Magnitude’s stablemate Faucet Into This was injured, decreasing the sphere to 6 horses.
Magnitude made his 4-year-old debut after a visit to Saudi Arabia for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) scheduled for February 14 was canceled because of a minor sickness. Asmussen used the Razorback in preparation for the Dubai World Cup. Magnitude hasn’t began since Nov. 28, when he defeated older horses within the 1 1/8-mile Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.
New What’s New took the lead within the straight line, however Magnitude was pinned to the flank at six furlongs at 23.68 seconds, 47.38 seconds and 1 minute 11.28 seconds. Magnitude took the lead on the skin flip heading dwelling and pulled away within the second half, overlaying 1 1/16 miles in a meet-best 1:42.10. The truck was quick.
Jockey Ortiz stated, “It is lovely. It is nice to see a 4-year-old horse make his debut.” “The tempo was quick and I do not assume Nearer might get shut. I feel the opposite horse (New What’s New) ran an excellent race as nicely. I feel he stepped up quite a bit within the competitors at this time. There’s not a lot to say. It was lovely to observe. He broke nicely, relaxed and punched dwelling.”
Magnitude paid $3.60, $2.80, and $2.10. New What’s New made his stakes debut with two earlier wins early within the assembly and paid $3 and $2.20. Gould’s Gold paid $2.60.
Second place rider Rafael Bejarano gave full credit score to Magnitude.
“He made a pleasant break on the entrance, however the winner (Magnitude) was on high of me the entire time,” Bejarano stated. “He (Jose Ortiz) knew I used to be making an attempt to sluggish him down. He was on high of me. If he might get me just a few lengths in entrance and calm down, that was my solely shot to beat him. However the perfect horse beat me.”
Magnitude’s look at Razorback comes 9 years after Gun Runner opened the 4-year-old race with a 5 3/4-length victory within the Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbred (Ron and Joan Winchell) race.
Razorback additionally served as Plan B for Gun Runner, who received over Clark in his ultimate begin as a 3-year-old and was scheduled to make his debut within the 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Gun Runner missed the race, which was alleged to be a run-up to the Dubai World Cup, as a result of he was stranded on the fairgrounds because of an outbreak of equine herpes virus.
Gun Runner completed second on the Dubai World Cup, his solely loss within the Horse of the 12 months marketing campaign. The profitable time for the Razorbacks was 1:40.97.
Magnitude, a offspring of Not This Time, elevated his profession winnings to $1,584,365 together with his sixth win in 12 races. Along with Clark, Magnitude additionally received the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and the Iowa Derby final yr.
Sandman, who completed sixth, failed to fireside after saving floor.
“He was galloping down there, he was breaking down quite a bit, he was operating nicely, he was feeling good,” jockey Cristian Torres stated. “However when it got here time to run, there was nothing.”
Horse racing will resume at midday (CST) Sunday with 12 races, highlighted by the $1 million Insurgent Stakes (G2) and the $750,000 Honey Bee Stakes (G3).
