Sonneteer back again for Razorback Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn or bust.

It’s something of a mantra at this time of year for the Southern California-based Sonneteer. He’s been coming to Oaklawn for select stakes since he was 3, and on Monday launches his 5-year-old season in the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap.

The race shares a card with the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest and the Grade 3, $200,000 Bayakoa. The three stakes will be run at 1 1/16 miles.

The Razorback drew a field of 14 led by a pair of Grade 2 winners stretching out two turns for the first time – Coal Front, the 120-pound highweight from post 14, and Copper Bullet. The field also includes Grade 3 winners Souper Tapit, Remembering Rita, and Rated R Superstar.

Razorback (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Sonneteer, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 92-88-89

◗ He first came to Oaklawn in 2017 and ran second in the Grade 2 Rebel as a maiden at odds of 112-1. Last year, Sonneteer returned and won the $125,000 Fifth Season at 29-1. Overall, the horse has made $344,166 of his $486,416 in career earnings at Oaklawn.

“I know how handicappers talk about horses for courses, and he obviously likes Oaklawn,” said trainer Keith Desormeaux. “We actually gave him time off after the Churchill Downs race in May, with the full intention of having him ready for the Oaklawn meet this year.”

◗ Sonneteer, a homebred for Calumet Farm, is coming off a fifth-place finish to Gift Box in the Grade 2 San Antonio on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. Gift Box – who was highweighted for the Razorback but is not running – was flattered after that race when runner-up Battle of Midway returned to capture the Grade 2 San Pasqual at Santa Anita. Sonneteer has since been working at Santa Anita.

“He’s had some great subsequent works, so I think we’re ready to go,” Desormeaux said.

◗ Richard Eramia has the mount on the closer, who could get an ideal pace setup.

Souper Tapit, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 95-97-86

◗ He’s won his last two starts, including the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic from post 8 in a field of eight Jan. 19 at Gulfstream.

“It’s very difficult to win from the outside post here going long, and he had to go around horses in the first turn, and I was afraid it would compromise his chances of winning,” trainer Mark Casse said from Florida on Wednesday. “He was able to overcome it.”

◗ Souper Tapit will break from post 5 under David Cohen.

“He’s kind of just happy being able to run free,” Casse said. “If there’s no pace, he could be on the lead. If there’s pace, he’s happy to sit there.”

Copper Bullet, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 88-96-76

◗ He won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in 2017 and took a Churchill Downs allowance last November. “He’s a talented horse,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “We need to get back in a rhythm with him. He ran real well off over a year layoff at Churchill Downs in the fall, showed his ability.”

◗ Jose Ortiz has the mount from the rail.