Oaklawn: It Happened Again makes it three in a row by taking Razorback

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.- It Happened Again has been unbeatable this meet at Oaklawn, as he picked up his third straight win of the season Saturday in the Grade 3, $125,000 Razorback Handicap.

He held off Thiskyhasnolimit by a half-length, while it was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to Win Willy. The race served as the prep for the Grade 2, $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 9.

It Happened Again ($9.40) tracked pacesetter Kate’s Main Man through an opening half-mile in 48 seconds. He began his bid midway on the turn, took the lead from Kate’s Main Man nearing the eighth pole, then held off Thiskyhasnolimit while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.58.

“He’s one of those horses that fights, he keeps digging in,” said Michael Baze, who rode It Happened Again for Maggi Moss and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Moss claimed It Happened Again, a 5-year-old gelding by Proud Citizen, for $20,000 at Woodbine in October. He had been racing on Polytrack, and Asmussen said the horse has responded to the return to dirt. He was third in an optional $40,000 claiming at Fair Grounds in his first start for Moss in December, then won two optional claimers at Oaklawn prior to the Razorback.