Mystic Guide Makes Successful Return in Razorback

Godolphin, already owning one of the leading 4-year-olds in training in the country in Maxfield, showed off another of its promising older runners when Mystic Guide swooped to a six-length victory over Silver Prospector in his seasonal debut Feb. 27 in the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park.

One of the better summer and fall 3-year-olds of last year, having won the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course and run second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, Mystic's Guide's class was on full display in the Razorback. He broke well under Luis Saez to secure position into the first turn, as Hunka Burning Love sped to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile race in the slop.

Well out in the racetrack he remained in fifth, partially the result of Hunka Burning Love and pace-chasing Long Range Toddy running at least several paths off the fence, but away from kickback and perhaps over the best part of the wet racetrack. 

On the second turn, following splits of :23.69, :47.61, and 1:12.99, he sprang wide into action to take command. A stalking Silver Prospector briefly threatened with an inside rally in early stretch, but Mystic Guide pulled away from the runner-up. The winner, a son of Ghostzapper , finished the distance in 1:44.33. 

"Luis did a great job keeping him out from a bunch of that mud, and he did the job," trainer Michael Stidham said.

Video: Razorback H. (G3)

Favored Owendale closed to be third, passing Hunka Burning Love, who settled for fourth. Rated R Superstar, Long Range Toddy, and Mailman Money rounded out the finish.

Bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, Mystic Guide ($6.40) is among four winners from eight foals out the five-time grade 1-winning A. P. Indy mare Music Note. Her 3-year-old Gershwin (Distorted Humor ) broke his maiden at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 6, giving the dam two winners this month. She also has a 2-year-old unraced Maclean's Music  filly named Gina.

Mystic Guide is based at Fair Grounds with trainer Mike Stidham, who sent this charge north to Oaklawn Park to keep him separated from the Godolphin-owned and Brendan Walsh-trained Maxfield, who won the Feb. 13 Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds.

Stidham, who captured his second Razorback following Desert Air in 1999, floated a couple of future stakes possibilities for Mystic Guide.

"After a race like that, you think the World Cup is a possibility," he said of the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan March 27. "And if not, the New Orleans (Classic)—those are the kind of races we'd be thinking about."

The $400,000 New Orleans Classic is March 20 on the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) undercard at Fair Grounds.

One race after the Razorback, Kimari ($3.40) was also successful in her first start at 4, employing similar, wide-swooping tactics to post a 4 1/4-length victory in the $200,000 Spring Fever Stakes under Joel Rosario.

The 4-year-old daughter of Munnings  notched her fourth stakes triumph, relishing the sloppy going on Saturday, just as she had last year in the Purple Martin Stakes in her first start at 3. A twice group-placed Royal Ascot runner, she finished 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.07.

Casual closed for second, ahead of third-place Shesomajstic and fourth-place Amy's Challenge, the early pacesetter.

Video: Spring Fever S. (BT)