Graeme Hall Heads Razorback Field

Graeme Hall will face eight challengers in Saturday's $125,000 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park. The son of Dehere is highweighted at 120 pounds for the mile and a sixteenth feature, and will get the services of jockey Robby Albarado. Owned by Eugene and Laura Melnyk, Graeme Hall captured last year's Arkansas Derby (gr. II) over the Oaklawn oval, and took home honors in the Jim Dandy (gr. II) at Saratoga as well. He is conditioned by Todd Pletcher.

The field, in post position order with riders and weights for the Razorback is: Kombat Kat, Marlon St. Julien, 112; Mr Ross, Don Pettinger, 119; Gatewood, Calvin Borel, 114; Graeme Hall, Albarado, 120; Connected, Larry Melancon, 112; Kiss of Lion, Terry Thompson, 113; Maysville Slew, Luis Quinonez, 117; Remington Rock, Jon Court, 113; and Dust on the Bottle, Tim Doocy, 114.

Dust on the Bottle continues his campaign to become the top earning Arkansas-bred ever. The 6-year-old has earned better than $630,000 in his career. He is chasing Nodouble, who accumulated $846,749 between 1967 and 1970, winning such contests as the Arkansas Derby, Met Mile, and Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).

Dust on the Bottle dumped rider Doocy at the start of the Essex H. (gr. III) , won by Mr. Ross. "We're getting some super glue for Tim's saddle, joked owner Sharon Hildis.