Magnitude targets Dubai after winning Razorback

Magnitude will make a belated trip to the Middle East in early April after a facile 3 3/4-length triumph in the $500,000 Razorback H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

Making his first start since taking the Clark (G2) in late November, Magnitude raced in close attendance to pacesetter Nu What's New before putting that rival away through the stretch of the 1 1/16-mile Razorback. Under Jose Ortiz, Magnitude finished up in 1:42.10 over a fast track in $3.60.

Missing an intended start in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) earlier this month after coming down with a fever, Magnitude now targets the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan, where he will likely meet the Japanese star Forever Young, who was voted champion older male last season after winning the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Owned by Ron Winchell and trained by Steve Asmussen, Magnitude has now won six of 12 lifetime starts. In addition to the Clark, the son of Not This Time romped in the Risen Star (G2) and Iowa Derby last season while also placing in the Travers (G1) and Pennsylvania Derby (G1).

Winchell and Asmussen used the Razorback as a springboard to the 2017 Dubai World Cup with Gun Runner. That colt finished second to Arrogate in the World Cup but swept the remainder of his races that season to earn Horse of the Year honors.