Razorback attracts Thiskyhasnolimit to Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Thiskyhasnolimit is headed to Oaklawn Park for the Grade 3, $125,000 Razorback Handicap on March 12, said his trainer, Steve Asmussen. The horse, who is a multiple stakes winner, is based at Santa Anita.

“The timing is really good,” Asmussen said.

Thiskyhasnolimit last raced on Jan. 15, and finished fourth as the favorite in the Grade 2 San Fernando at Santa Anita. Since then, he has turned in some strong works, including six furlongs in a bullet 1:11.60 on Feb. 22. Asmussen said the horse is scheduled to fly in on March 9.

The Razorback will be Thiskyhasnolimit’s first start at Oaklawn. Last year, he won the $300,000 Smarty Jones at Parx Racing near Philadelphia, the $100,000 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs, and was second to champion Lookin at Lucky in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby.

“He’s been very versatile,” Asmussen said. “He’s liked Hoosier, Philly, Churchill.”

Thiskyhasnolimit’s other stakes win came at 2, in the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill. Now 4, he is an earner of $556,532 for the partnership of Mark Wagner and Bob and Cathy Zollars.

The Razorback is the local prep for the Grade 2, $350,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 9.

Oaklawn on Sunday boosted the purse for the 1 1/16-mile race by $25,000, bringing its value to $125,000. Others pointing for the Razorback are graded stakes winners Winslow Homer and Win Willy. Possibles include recent $100,000 Essex Handicap winner Kate’s Main Man.

Claim box rockin’ at Oaklawn

There were 27 horses claimed in four days of racing last week, with two horses changing hands after 10-way shakes. Trainer Dewaine Loy won the first mega-shake, on Friday, when he claimed Northern Winn for himself for $5,000. Trainer Stanley Roberts won the second 10-way shake, on Sunday, for $5,000 claim Pacar. Roberts claimed the horse on behalf of Patti Turner.

In all, there have been 99 claims this meet, for $1,123,500 in transactions among stables at Oaklawn.

Mountain Valley goes Saturday

The weekend stakes action will feature 3-year-old sprinters in the $60,000 Mountain Valley on Saturday. Nominees to the six-furlong race include Glint, who won the $100,000 Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial at Presque Isle in September; Smoke It Right, an undefeated colt whose three wins include the $50,000 Lafayette at Evangeline Downs; and Trubs, who last month accounted for the $58,000 Black Gold at Fair Grounds.

◗ Michael Baze, who is the third-leading rider at Oaklawn, on Thursday will begin serving a three-day suspension for a riding infraction. It continues through Saturday.