Sonneteer on favorite surface in Razorback Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sonneteer likes living in Los Angeles but racing in Arkansas. He swept in from Southern California last month to win an opening-weekend stakes at Oaklawn and is back in town as one of the top contenders in Monday’s Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap.

“The horse really loves the Oaklawn surface,” said trainer Keith Desormeaux.

The Razorback drew a field of 11, including Grade 3 winners Untrapped, J Boys Echo, Far Right, Shotgun Kowboy, and Rated R Superstar. It’s a tough group to separate and one of the best betting races on a card that also features the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes. Purses for the program top $1.5 million.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sonneteer, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 95-85-76

◗ He first ventured to Oaklawn last year at 3 and ran second in the Grade 2 Rebel at 112-1 and a close fourth in the Arkansas Derby. Those efforts led Calumet Farm and Desormeaux to look at the $125,000 Fifth Season on Jan. 12 at Oaklawn, a race Sonneteer won by three-quarters of a length at 29-1.

“I’ve never had a horse that moves up on one surface as much as this horse does, and that’s what we were hoping going in,” Desormeaux said. “He had trained so good, looked so good, and just loves that surface. It’s just amazing that it’s actually true how a horse can change so much on one surface. It’s one of those crazy, cool horse-racing things.”

◗ Sonneteer returned to Santa Anita after the win and has logged a trio of works, including five-eighths in 1:02 in his final prep Feb. 10. Desormeaux’s brother Kent was aboard and has the mount Monday.

“I can’t say Sonneteer has regressed at all,” Keith Desormeaux said. “All the clues that trainers look for – coat color and weight and soundness and vigor on the track – it’s all there. The horse is very resilient. I don’t see any reason why he won’t run as good, or better, a race.”

Untrapped, by Trappe Shot
Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-95

◗ Untrapped, the winner of last year’s Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, also exits the Fifth Season, where he finished fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths. He will be making an equipment change Monday.

“We did go back to blinkers,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I thought he dropped the bridle in the middle of the race a little. I’m looking for a little more focus.”

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from the rail for Arkansas-based owner Mike Langford.

J Boys Echo, by Mineshaft
Last 3 Beyers: 90-88-70

◗ The winner of last year’s Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct, he enters the Razorback off a pair of runner-up finishes in high-end optional-claiming races at Churchill Downs in November and Gulfstream Park in December. J Boys Echo has since been working sharply at Gulfstream.

“This year, he seems to be on the improve,” said trainer Dale Romans.

◗ J Boys Echo was beaten a nose last out by Jay’s Way, who returned in his next start to win the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream.