By Jeff Apel

Multiple graded stakes winner Magna Graduate seized command approaching the stretch and gamely drew clear under steady handling from jockey John Velazquez for a 1 3/4-length win in the $150,000 Razorback Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3) on Friday at Oaklawn Park.

Positioned on the outside of Jonesboro at the start, Magna Graduate settled one length off the pace for a half-mile and raced in second for six furlongs. Gaining command on the outside of Jonesboro on the turn, Magna Graduate opened a half-length lead in early stretch and earned the fifth graded stakes win of his four-year racing career.

Jonesboro, the winner of the Essex Handicap (G3) in his previous start on February 10 at the Hot Springs, Arkansas, track, maintained a one-length lead against Magna Graduate through fractions of :24.22 for a quarter-mile and :48.70 for a half-mile. Magna Graduate pulled within a head of the leader approaching the quarter pole and increased his advantage in the closing strides to win the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:44.17 on a fast track.

Grade 3-placed stakes winner Student Council finished second, a half-length in front of Jonesboro.

Trained by Todd Pletcher for Elisabeth Alexander, Magna Graduate entered off last-place finish in the Donn Handicap (G1) on February 3 at Gulfstream Park. The five-year-old Honor Grades horse closed out his previous campaign by winning the Queens County Handicap (G3) on December 9 at Aqueduct.

Kentucky-bred Magna Graduate increased his earnings to $1,933,950 and earned his eighth win in 21 career starts. The dark bay or brown horse is out of the unraced Fast Play mare Peacock Alley.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

                                         Jeff Apel is an assistant news editor for Thoroughbred Times.