Magnitude returns to action in Razorback

While the focus this weekend will be on three-year-olds prepping for the Kentucky Derby (G1), a notable member from last year's crop will be making his belated four-year-old debut.

Magnitude figures to be a heavy favorite against six rivals in the $500,000 Razorback H. (G3), the 1 1/16-mile feature at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. An eye-catching winner of the Risen Star (G2) and Iowa Derby, Magnitude subsequently placed in the Travers (G1) and Pennsylvania Derby (G1) before wrapping up the season with a win over Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show in the Clark (G2).

Magnitude was originally scheduled to compete in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) earlier this month, but did not make the trip after coming down with a fever.

Among Magnitude's rivals in the Razorback is Sandman, the deep-closing gray who captured the Arkansas Derby (G1) last spring. However, Sandman has been largely ineffective since, placing only in the Preakness (G1) in five starts. He was only fifth in his allowance comeback at Oaklawn on Feb. 7, his first outing since late August.

Making their graded debuts in the Razorback are Tap Into This and Nu What's New. Tap Into This has won four of his last five, including the restricted The Coach S. at Oaklawn in early January. The Razorback will be the first stakes attempt of any kind for the speedy Nu What's New, who earned Brisnet Speed ratings of 107 and 100 when dominating maiden and allowance foes earlier in the meet.