Razorback Handicap
The Razorback Handicap is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt run annually in February at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The event currently offers a purse of $500,000.
History
The event was inaugurated on 20 February 1960 as a $3,200 allowance race over the sprinting distance of furlongs and was won by Cyrob in a time of 1:05.80. The next season the race was scheduled later in March with an increased purse and distance of one mile and seventy yards thus becoming a natural preparatory race for the track's signature event for older horses - the Oaklawn Handicap which is held in April. The first horse to perform the double feat was Swift Ruler in 1966. That year Swift Ruler set a new track and stakes record for the Razorback winning in a time of 1:39.In 1968 the event was run in split divisions. The winner of the second division, Barb's Delight had finished second in the 1967 Kentucky Derby The following year the distance of the event was increased to miles.
In 1978 the event was upgraded to Grade III.
Other notable winners of the event include Cox's Ridge in 1978 and 1981 winner Temperence Hill who resumed after being crowned the 1980 United States Champion Three-Year-Old Colt.
The 1989 winner, Allen E. Paulson's Blushing John went onto be crowned United States Champion Older Male Horse. The 2017 United States Champion Older Male Horse Gun Runner began his championship campaign with an emphatic length victory as the 1/5on favorite.
Between 2005 and 2008, the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event which reflected in the name of the event.
Records
Speed record:- miles - 1:40.40 Lost Code
- 1 mile and 70 yards - 1:39.20 Swift Ruler
- lengths - Golden Lad
- 6 – Pat Day
- 5 – Joseph B. Cantey
- 2 – Earl Allen
- 2 – Loblolly Stable
- 2 – Happy Valley Farm
- 2 – Allen E. Paulson
- 2 – Don C. McNeill
- Swift Ruler, Charlie Jr., Gage Line, Cox's Ridge, Temperence Hill, Eminency, Lost Code, Opening Verse, Alternation, Cyber Secret, Raceday
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| 2025 | Alexander Helios | 5 | Tyler Gaffalione | Saffie Joseph Jr. | John & Diane Fradkin | miles | 1:41.88 | $500,000 | III | |
| 2024 | Octane | 5 | Julien Leparoux | Juan Alvarado | Arindel | miles | 1:43.57 | $600,000 | III | |
| 2023 | Last Samurai | 5 | Cristian Torres | D. Wayne Lukas | Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings | miles | 1:42.19 | $600,000 | III | |
| 2022 | Plainsman | 7 | Joel Rosario | Brad H. Cox | Shortleaf Stable | miles | 1:43.79 | $600,000 | III | |
| 2021 | Mystic Guide | 4 | Luis Saez | Michael Stidham | Godolphin Racing | miles | 1:44.33 | $600,000 | III | |
| 2020 | Warrior's Charge | 4 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Ten Strike Racing & Madaket Stables | miles | 1:43.00 | $500,000 | III | |
| 2019 | Coal Front | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Robert V. LaPenta & Head of Plains Partners | miles | 1:43.45 | $500,000 | III | |
| 2018 | Hawaakom | 8 | Corey J. Lanerie | Wesley E. Hawley | Stephan H. Smoot & Wesley E. Hawley | miles | 1:45.14 | $500,000 | III | |
| 2017 | Gun Runner | 4 | Florent Geroux | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds & Three Chimneys Farm | miles | 1:40.97 | $500,000 | III | |
| 2016 | Upstart | 4 | Joe Bravo | Ralph M. Evans & WinStar Farm | miles | 1:44.12 | $350,000 | III | ||
| 2015 | Race Day | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Matthew Schera | miles | 1:44.88 | $250,000 | III | |
| 2014 | Golden Lad | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Todd A. Pletcher | E. Paul Robsham Stables | miles | 1:43.72 | $200,000 | III | |
| 2013 | Cyber Secret | 4 | Robby Albarado | Lynn S. Whiting | Charles J. Cella | miles | 1:44.80 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2012 | Alternation | 4 | Luis S. Quinonez | Pin Oak Stable | miles | 1:43.50 | $125,000 | III | ||
| 2011 | It Happened Again | 5 | Michael Baze | Steven M. Asmussen | Maggi Moss | miles | 1:43.58 | $125,000 | III | |
| 2010 | † Spotsgone | 7 | Jon Court | William H. Fires | Robert Yagos | miles | 1:43.83 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2009 | Let It Rock | 4 | Terry J. Thompson | Judi A. Hicklin | Hicklin Farms & Tom Gregerson | miles | 1:44.18 | $120,000 | III | |
| 2008 | Jonesboro | 6 | Calvin H. Borel | Randy L. Morse | Michael Langford | miles | 1:44.21 | $149,000 | III | |
| 2007 | Magna Graduate | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Elisabeth H. Alexander | miles | 1:44.17 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2006 | Purim | 4 | Robby Albarado | Thomas F. Proctor | Edward Joseph Sukley | miles | 1:43.77 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2005 | Added Edge | 5 | Luis S. Quinonez | Dale L. Romans | Team Valor Stables & Robert J. Wilson | miles | 1:43.88 | $125,000 | III | |
| 2004 | Sonic West | 5 | Willie Martinez | Thomas L. Van Berg | Stone Spire | miles | 1:43.56 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2003 | Colorful Tour | 4 | Luis S. Quinonez | P. Noel Hickey | Irish Acres Farm | miles | 1:43.53 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2002 | Mr Ross | 7 | Donald R. Pettinger | Donnie K. Von Hemel | Don C. McNeill | miles | 1:44.13 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2001 | Mr Ross | 6 | Donald R. Pettinger | Donnie K. Von Hemel | Don C. McNeill | miles | 1:42.60 | $125,000 | III | |
| 2000 | Well Noted | 5 | Timothy T. Doocy | Randy L. Morse | Robert S. Mitchell Trust | miles | 1:43.21 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1999 | Desert Air | 4 | Corey J. Lanerie | Michael Stidham | Mount Brilliant Stable | miles | 1:44.75 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1998 | Brush With Pride | 6 | Timothy T. Doocy | Steve Hobby | Barbara R. & John E. Smicklas | miles | 1:43.55 | $125,000 | III | |
| 1997 | 5 | Robert Neal Lester | Donnie K. Von Hemel | E. J. Dullea Partnership | miles | 1:43.38 | $150,000 | III | ||
| 1996 | Juliannus | 7 | Robby Albarado | Albert Stall Jr. | Francis Foret, Joe Gee, David Hulkewicz & Robert Wilensky | miles | 1:43.37 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1995 | Silver Goblin | 4 | Dale W. Cordova | Kenny P. Smith | Al J. Horton | miles | 1:42.79 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1994 | Prize Fight | 5 | Patrick A. Johnson | James O. Keefer | L. William Heiligbrodt, Ted Keefer & Walter New | miles | 1:43.70 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1993 | Lil E. Tee | 4 | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | miles | 1:41.55 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1992 | Tokatee | 6 | Garrett K. Gomez | Ron McAnally | Marie D Jones | miles | 1:42.87 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1991 | Bedeviled | 4 | Donald Lee Howard | Jack Van Berg | John A. Franks | miles | 1:42.50 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1990 | Opening Verse | 4 | Pat Day | Richard J. Lundy | Allen E. Paulson | miles | 1:41.40 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1989 | Blushing John | 4 | Pat Day | Richard J. Lundy | Allen E. Paulson | miles | 1:43.00 | $100,000 | II | |
| 1988 | Lost Code | 4 | Craig Perret | William L. Donovan | Wendover Stable | miles | 1:40.40 | $122,500 | II | |
| 1987 | Bolshoi Boy | 4 | Randy Romero | Howard M. Tesher | Art Belford & John Greathouse Jr. | miles | 1:40.80 | $147,700 | II | |
| 1986 | Red Attack | 4 | Larry Snyder | A. J. Foyt III | Calumet Farm | miles | 1:42.00 | $143,500 | II | |
| 1985 | Imp Society | 4 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Heslop Stable | miles | 1:42.60 | $167,900 | II | |
| 1984 | Dew Line | 5 | Sam Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Jerold Hoffberger | miles | 1:41.60 | $124,200 | III | |
| 1983 | Eminency | 5 | Pat Day | Joseph B. Cantey | Happy Valley Farm | miles | 1:43.60 | $117,900 | III | |
| 1982 | Eminency | 4 | Pat Day | Joseph B. Cantey | Happy Valley Farm | miles | 1:45.20 | $127,000 | III | |
| 1981 | Temperence Hill | 4 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Loblolly Stable | miles | 1:44.20 | $111,100 | III | |
| 1980 | All the More | 7 | Larry Snyder | Del W. Carroll | Frank J. Cullerton | miles | 1:45.40 | $94,000 | III | |
| 1979 | Cisk | 5 | Garth Patterson | Glenn L. Hild | Carolyn Manning | miles | 1:45.40 | $89,500 | III | |
| 1978 | Cox's Ridge | 4 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Loblolly Stable | miles | 1:43.00 | $61,850 | III | |
| 1977 | Dragset | 6 | Jon Kunitake | Glenn L. Hild | Jim Manning | miles | 1:44.40 | $59,850 | ||
| 1976 | Royal Glint | 6 | Gordon R. Potter | Dan Lasater | miles | 1:42.40 | $60,750 | |||
| 1975 | Navajo | 5 | James D. Nichols | James O. Keefer | Joseph Stevenson & Raymond Stump | miles | 1:43.20 | $50,000 | ||
| 1974 | Model Husband | 5 | John Lively | Jim E. O'Bryant | Mrs. Hugh L. Hembree | miles | 1:43.80 | $50,000 | ||
| 1973 | The Cutter | 4 | Alberto Ramos | Robert L. Irwin | Redbob Farms | miles | 1:44:00 | $30,000 | ||
| 1972 | Gage Line | 6 | Louis Spindler | David R. Vance | Robert Ballis | miles | 1:43.80 | $25,000 | ||
| 1971 | Francesco | 5 | Jon Kunitake | A. J. Moidell | A. J. Moidell | miles | 1:42.60 | $30,000 | ||
| 1970 | § Charlie Jr. | 4 | Larry Snyder | Dewey P. Smith | T. Allie & James E. Grissom | miles | 1:43.80 | $25,000 | ||
| 1969 | Hy Frost | 4 | Billy J. Phelps | Forrest Kaelin | Fleming B. Fraser | miles | 1:44.60 | $15,000 | ||
| 1968 | Missouri Gent | 4 | Hector Viera | Edmond Waller | Edmond & John Waller | 1:42.40 | $12,500 | |||
| 1968 | Barb's Delight | 4 | Earl Knapp | Henry W. Steele Jr. | Guy Huguelot, Gene Spading & Henry W. Steele Jr. | 1:41.00 | $12,500 | |||
| 1967 | Swift Ruler | 5 | Wayne Chambers | Gin L. Collins | Earl Allen | 1:41.20 | $10,000 | |||
| 1966 | Swift Ruler | 4 | Larry R. Spraker | Gin L. Collins | Earl Allen | 1:39.20 | $10,000 | |||
| 1965 | El Bora | 5 | Rudy Campas | C. Vinvi | Ace Hi Stable | 1:40.80 | $10,000 | |||
| 1964 | Jaywalking | 7 | Frank Pacheco | Bryan Wise | Perne L. Grissom | 1:41.00 | $10,000 | |||
| 1963 | Loyal Son | 7 | William Carstens | Roy Gillem | Eastwood Stable | 1:41.00 | $10,000 | |||
| 1962 | Natego | 5 | Eugene Curry | J. J. Lombardo | Marilynn V. Landy | 1:39.60 | $10,000 | |||
| 1961 | § Eight Again | 4 | Willie Cook | Vester R. Wright | T. Allie Grissom | 1:39.60 | $10,000 | |||
| 1960 | Cyrob | 4 | James D. Nichols | J. McFarlan | J. Davidson | furlongs | 1:05.80 | $3,200 |
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In the 2010 running of the event Win Willy was first past the post and wagering was paid out as the winner, however the horse returned a positive swab for the presence of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and consequently was disqualified from the prizemoney and was placed eighth. As a result, the first-place purse was awarded to Spotsgone and all other finishers were advanced one position for the purposes of purses.