The “house horse,” Charles J. Cella’s Cyber Secret edged Golden Ron to win the $150,000 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) March 9 at Oaklawn Park by a head. Atigun was a half-length back in third as the three battled to the line in the 1 1/16-mile race (VIDEO).
Cella is the owner of Oaklawn Park.
Robby Albarado was aboard Cyber Secret a 4-year-old son of Broken Vow out of the Dixieland Band mare Stomping. The winner was bred in Kentucky by Paragon Farms and was a $110,000 Keeneland November sale weanling in 2009. Consigned by Paragon Farms, agent, the ticket was signed by bloodstock agent Ben Glass.
Cyber Secret, fifth in both the Southwest (gr. III) and Rebel (gr. II) stakes at Oaklawn last year, earned his first stakes victory.
Golden Ron set the pace in the Razorback, setting splits of :23.80, :47.80, and 1:12.64 while be prompted by Brethren , Atigun, and Cyber Secret. All four had a shot as they turned for home but after a mile in 1:38.25 it was a three-horse race. Cyber Secret hit the line in 1:44.80.
“At the half-mile pole he was in the clear and it was his race to win or lose from that point,” said trainer Lynn Whiting. “He was able to grind them down. It was a good win, but I’ve never had a bad one. I’d think he’d deserve a chance in a race like the (Oaklawn Handicap, gr. II, April 13).”
The winner paid $16.40, $9.80, and $5.60 as the fifth choice in the field of 10. Golden Ron returned $21.40 and $11.40. Atigun paid $3.80 to show. The 3-1 exacta paid $227.60 for $2 and the 3-1-2 $1 trifecta paid $508.90.
Brethren faded late to finish fourth, 4 1/4 lengths behind Atigun. He was followed by 2-1 favorite Alternation , San Pablo , Najjaar, Donoharm, Ride the Lightning, and Raison d'Etat .
Cyber Secret was making his third start at Oaklawn this meet for Whiting. On Jan. 21 Cyber Secret won a one-mile optional claiming event by 4 1/2 lengths, then returned Feb. 15 to win an optional claiming affair at 1 1/16 miles.
In the Razorback Cyber Secret carried 117 pounds, with Albarado a four-pound overweight. Highweight at 119 pounds was Alternation, winner of last year’s Razorback, Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) and Pimlico Special (gr. III) for Josephine Abercrombie’s Pin Oak Stud.
