Strong field of six entered for Razorback

It Happened Again will need to elevate his game if he wants to defend the

crown he won last year in the Grade 3, $125,000

Razorback Handicap, but the gelding's new trainer, Chris Richard, thinks he

is positioned to pull it off.

Last season, the son of Proud Citizen found his best form and rolled through

three straight wins, including the Razorback, for trainer Steve Asmussen. He

started this season with a score in the Claiming Crown Jewel at the Fair Grounds

in December but then had unlucky trips in Oaklawn's Fifth Season Stakes and the

Essex Handicap.

Since his last performance, It Happened Again moved across a road in barn

area, but the shift is about the rest of the year and not about disappointment

with Asmussen.

"Every year at this time, (owner) Maggi (Moss) starts to divide up her horses

based on where she wants to send them the rest of the year," Richard explained.

"She envisions this horse being based at Prairie Meadows, where I'm heading.

Steve and his guys did a tremendous job with this horse. My job is very easy

heading into this race."

It Happened Again will have the chance to turn the tables on rival

Alternation in the Razorback after that one beat him in the Essex last out.

Winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont Park last May, the Donnie K. Von

Hemel trainee is poised for a big year if things go according to plan.

"This is a good race and we will really have to run well to win it," Von

Hemel said in regards to the field toughness in the Razorback.

Since his Essex win, Von Hemel reported that Alternation has continued to

train well and, despite the stronger-than-average field, he feels confident

about how his Distorted Humor colt heads into the race.

"Like any race, you have to look afterward and see if there are any changes

or adjustments that you have to make," he said, but when asked if he had to make

many changes after the Essex, he gave a firm "No."