Law Professor has options at Aqueduct, Oaklawn and Fair Grounds for next start
Law Professor, third in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on Feb. 18 at Oaklawn Park, is back in New York and on Sunday worked a half-mile in 49.80 seconds over the Belmont Park training track.
Trainer Rob Atras said the options for Law Professor’s next start include the Grade 3, $500,000 Essex at Oaklawn Park on March 18, the Grade 2, $500,000 New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds on March 25, and the $125,000 Excelsior at Aqueduct on April 1.
“He trains so well here, he runs so well here, we’re thinking about running here, but we’ll keep the other races in play,” Atras said Wednesday.
Law Professor won the Queens County Stakes here on Jan. 7 by 7 1/2 lengths. In his other start at Aqueduct, Law Professor finished second to Life Is Good in the Grade 1 Woodward last October.
Atras said Law Professor didn’t seem to handle the setting at Oaklawn that well and was a bit rank early in the Razorback. Atras said he learned some things that may not rule a return trip to Oaklawn for either the Essex or the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap on April 23.
“He’s a little bit of a high-strung, nervous horse,” he said. “Oaklawn’s a busy track.
“You either avoid the situation or try to make some changes. They do have some great pots and some good racing down there. If you thought you could get his ‘A’ effort, you’d try and go back, but at the same time we’re exploring other options.”
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