Alexander Helios prevails in three-horse photo to take Razorback

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Alexander Helios won the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap in a three-way photo on Sunday at Oaklawn Park, edging Banishing by a nose. It was another neck back in third to First Mission.

“He ran huge,” winning trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said.

The Razorback was one of five stakes on the Rebel Day card, which was moved from Saturday to Sunday after a winter storm system hit Tuesday night. Attendance on track was 36,000 and handle on the 12-race card from all sources topped $21 million, according to figures provided by Oaklawn.

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Alexander Helios ($18) tracked the pace set by Banishing, who took the field through an opening quarter in 23.81 seconds, a half-mile in 47.60 and six furlongs in 1:11.42. Banishing fought on along the rail in the stretch, as Alexander Helios battled alongside him in the late stages and First Mission came rolling on the outside.

Alexander Helios covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in a strong 1:41.88.

Tyler Gaffalione was aboard the winner for John Fradkin and Diane Fradkin,

Joseph said after Alexander Helios won an allowance last season at Oaklawn, the ownership expressed an interest in returning to Arkansas for races like the Razorback and the Oaklawn Handicap. Alexander Helios came into the race Sunday off a sharp allowance win at Gulfstream Park for which he earned a Beyer of 95.

“This was a big step up,” Joseph said. “The horse has the ability. He came back off the layoff in the allowance and it was a big performance, but today he really showed that he made a name for himself.”

Alexander Helios is a son of Cairo Prince and a half-brother to Preakness winner Rombauer. Alexander Helios has now won 5 of 15 starts for earnings of $542,170.

Racing resumes Monday.

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