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Originally Posted by DaTruth
Ah, the Oaklawn Handicap has attracted some great horses: Cigar, Best Pal, etc. But not that year. That year the race was filled with slugs Tiago, Heatseeker, Reporting For Duty, Circular Quay, Buzzard's Bay, Fairbanks, and Silver Lord.
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Both Heatseeker and Tiago were very good horses on their best day. The Oaklawn Handicap was Heatseeker's next start following his win in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap. And right after his 2nd place finish in the Oaklawn Handicap, he won the Grade II Californian at Hollywood.
Tiago had just run 4th in the SA Handicap and then ran 2nd in the Californian. They were two of the best horses in the country at the time.
Circular Quay was a multiple graded stakes winner coming into the race off a win in the Grade II New Orleans Handicap.
Fairbaks was a graded stakes winner (not to mention running 2nd in the Grade I Suburban) coming off a 2nd place finish in the Grade II Gulfstream Handicap.
Buzzard's Bay was a multiple graded stakes winner but I admit he appeared to be out of form for the 2008 Oaklawn Handicap.
I think the 2008 Oaklawn Handicap was a strong field.