Hot Springs, AR (Sports Network) – Lightly raced Race Day, ridden by John
Velazquez, edged out Midnight Hawk at the wire to capture Saturday’s
$250,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
Tapiture and Race Day were the 2-1 co-favorites in the six-horse field for the
1 1/16-mile Azeri. Midnight Hawk, ridden by Victor Espinoza, was 7-1 and broke
from post 3.
Midnight Hawk set the pace with Race Day pressing him from the outside over a
track listed as good. Carve was running third followed by Tapiture, Ride On
Curlin and Golden Ticket.
Midnight Hawk and Race Day continued on the lead into the far turn and coming
into the stretch. Race Day took a short lead at the top of the stretch but
lugged out a bit to give Midnight Hawk an opening along the rail.
The two 4-year-old gray colts battled through the stretch with Race Day
posting a neck victory over Midnight Hawk. Golden Ticket rallied to finish
third followed by Carve, Tapiture and Ride On Curlin. I Got It All was
scratched.
The time for the Razorback was 1:44.88.
Trained by Todd Pletcher for Matthew Schera, Race Day recorded his fourth win
while making just his seventh career start. Notching his first stakes win
meant the colt added $150,000 to his bankroll which now totals $250,450.
Race Day opened his 2015 season with a third-place finish at Gulfstream Park
in the Fred W, Hooper Stakes on Feb. 7. Pletcher won last year’s Razorback
with Golden Lad.
Race Day paid $6.20, $4.80 and $3.60. Midnight Hawk returned $6.80 and $4.40,
and Golden Ticket paid $5.60 to show.
