Race Recaps Hawaakom Skims, Squeezes, & Scores In G3 Razorback February 19, 2018 Race Recaps Hawaakom Skims, Squeezes, & Scores In G3 Razorback February 19, 2018 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article HOT SPRINGS, AR – Wes Hawley and Stephan Smoot’s Hawaakom skimmed and squeezed all along the front stretch rail en route to his first career graded stakes score in Monday’s Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park. Off well from post 3 under Corey Lanerie, Hawaakom settled to the inside mid-pack while Rocking the Boat and Futile dueled on the front-end through splits of :24.02, :48.52, and 1:13.04. Commencing an inside move through the far turn, Hawaakom hit the top of the stretch in fifth and closing on the leaders. Lanerie’s patience was rewarded when he found an opening just big enough between Rocking the Boat and the rail, and ran through it in a move reminiscent of Lanerie’s late run along the rail in the 2017 Kentucky Derby aboard Lookin At Lee. With nothing but mud ahead of him, Hawaakom drew away convincingly to win by 3 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:45.14 for the 1 1/16-mile race. “Lanerie up the rail!” exclaimed Hawley, who trains in addition to his co-owner duties and broke his graded stakes maiden with the victory. “I couldn’t believe it. What a great ride. This was a game-changer. This was huge. This was my biggest career win.” Leofric was riding a four-race win streak at Oaklawn into the event and initially held the lead at the top of the stretch, but Hawaakom’s romp left him settling for second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Rocking the Boat. The favored Untrapped took fourth after a jockey’s objection against Leofric for interference in the stretch was ultimately disallowed. Futile took fifth, while R Rated Superstar nosed out sixth over The Lieutenant. The remainder of the field was, in order, Far Right, Shotgun Kowboy, Sonneteer, and J Boys Echo. Hawaakom’s victory was his first since taking the Louisiana Stakes on January 21, 2017, at Fair Grounds. The 8-year-old gelded son of Jazil improved his record to 40-9-7-8 with career earnings of $925,405. “I had a great trip, you know,” Lanerie said. “The horse fits the trip really well. He loves the inside. A couple times, I came to a couple holes I was a little scared of, but my horse showed me all the courage and never hesitated, and he did all the work.” Hawaakom returned $20.80 to win, $8.20 to place, and $6.20 to show. Leofric brought back $5 to place and $4.60 to show, while Rocking the Boat paid $10.80 to show. Be sure to check the Results page for details on every thoroughbred and quarter horse race in North America, including how our PREMIUM PICKS performed!
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More