Razen Hazen remains undefeated in Cavonnier

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Razen Hazen ($5) improved his lifetime record to 2-for-2 with a victory in the $51,590 Cavonnier Juvenile Stakes at the Sonoma County Fair on Sunday.

Razen Hazen made his debut nine days earlier, winning a $32,000 maiden claimer in a wire-to-wire victory over the track. He used the same tactics in his stakes debut, holding off Trish's Diamond in the lane to win the 5 1/2-furlong race by three-quarters of a length in 1:04.07.

"I didn't give him any breathers," winning jockey Francisco Duran said. "I wanted him to give his best. Down the lane, he felt pressure. I asked him to go and he did. He did a wonderful job responding."

Owner Dennis Ward, who also saddled the winner for his son, Wesley, said he had seldom seen 2-year-olds respond so positively after their first start.

"After the maiden race, I knew he could run. That's the only reason I ran him back. This horse didn't act like he'd run. Three days later, I had to take him back to the track."

Razen Hazen, a $3,500 yearling purchase, earned $29,850, lifting his lifetime earnings to $40,510.

The race was marred by the fatal breakdown of Idaho stakes winner Crown Royalty, who pressed Razen Hazen's pace early. The colt suffered a fractured canon bone and dislocated knee just before the eighth pole and had to be euthanized on the track. Jockey Joey Castro suffered minor injuries and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital on a precautionary basis.