Octane grabs first graded triumph with Razorback Handicap
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The accomplished Florida-bred Octane invaded Arkansas and won the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback Handicap by three-quarters of a length Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
Magic Tap, the favorite, finished second, while it was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third to Notary.
The Razorback was one of four stakes on the Rebel Day card at Oaklawn, where the infield was open on a sunny afternoon that drew an estimated on-track crowd of 46,000.
Octane ($13) tracked the pace set by Promise Keeper, who took the field through fractions of 23.30 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.33 for the half-mile and 1:12.20 for six furlongs. Octane overtook Promise Keeper and went on to cover 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.57. Octane was given a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.
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“I just wanted to break sharp,” winning rider Julien Leparoux told Oaklawn publicity. “[Promise Keeper] really wanted to be on the lead. I just wanted to be outside, in the clear. He relaxed good and at the end, he finished up strong.”
Octane, who earlier in his career won two divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes, picked up his first graded victory and in doing so went over $1 million in earnings. Overall, he is 8 for 18 for breeder and owner Arindel.
Juan Alvarado trains the Gulfstream Park-based son of Brethren.
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