A lot of likes for Rated R Superstar in Razorback

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Danny Caldwell learns something new every day about $50,000 claim Rated R Superstar.

Apparently, the horse has his own Facebook page.

And apparently, he’s worth a whole lot more than $50,000.

Rated R Superstar will be going for his second straight stakes win at the Oaklawn Park meet on Saturday, when he takes on Lone Rock, Plainsman, Super Stock, and South Florida invader Promise Keeper in the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback Handicap.

The 1 1/16-mile race for 4-year-olds and up will share a card with the rescheduled Grade 3, $250,000 Bayakoa.

Caldwell claimed Rated R Superstar last meet at Oaklawn, taking the then 8-year-old for $50,000 on Jan. 30 and turning him over to trainer Federico Villafranco. Rated R Superstar has since earned $388,991 for Caldwell, among his wins the $175,000 Governor’s Cup in August at Remington Park and the $150,000 Fifth Season in his 9-year-old debut Jan. 15 at Oaklawn.

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“He’s been a blessing to our stable,” Caldwell said. “He’s an old professional horse that loves his job.”

And the owner has learned a lot of people love Rated R Superstar, a ferocious closer who overall has won 10 races from 57 starts for earnings of $1.2 million.

“He has his own Facebook page that we were not aware of, but he does have a Facebook page,” Caldwell said. “He’s got a lot of fans. I get calls and texts from all over the country. People contact me on Facebook Messenger – ‘I follow this horse. So glad he’s doing well. I really love watching him run.’ ”

Rated R Superstar won at a mile last out in the Fifth Season, racing closer to the pace than usual to win at 25-1 under jockey David Cabrera. He earned one of the best Beyer Speed Figures of his career, a 95. The start was Rated R Superstar’s first since September.

“He came back fresh from being off and enjoyed his little break,” Caldwell said. “He ran well for going a mile. I don’t think it’s his best distance.

“We get the extra sixteenth of a mile Saturday, and it looks like a speed duel should develop in front of us. Hopefully, we can lay off the pace and hopefully they go fast.”

Thomas Shelby, Popular Kid, Promise Keeper, Plainsman, and Super Stock are among those that could show speed in the Razorback. Lone Rock could sit right in behind the leaders in pursuit of his third consecutive stakes win.

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Lone Rock’s streak started at 1 5/8 miles in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. He then shortened up to 1 1/8 miles for the $200,000 Tinsel on Dec. 11 at Oaklawn.

Ramon Vazquez was aboard for the wins for trainer Robertino Diodoro and will again have the mount when the horse breaks from post 3.

Lone Rock is the 122-pound highweight and will vie for favoritism with Plainsman, who at 120 is making his first start since running third in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 4 at Aqueduct. Joel Rosario has the mount for trainer Brad Cox.

The Razorback is being showcased on an 11-race card that has an early first post of 12:10 p.m. Central.