In a virtual replay of his performance in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on March 10, Pin Oak Stable's homebred Alternation led throughout to take Saturday's $400,000 Oaklawn Handicap under Luis Quinonez on Arkansas Derby Day. Of more significance on this occasion was the competition Alternation prevailed over, which included the winners of the Grade 1 Donn Handicap and Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap this past winter.

Despite being in a bit tight at the start, Alternation soon took control of a largely paceless affair passing the stands. Settling about a length ahead of Yawanna Twist, Alternation proceeded to set fractions of :23 4/5, :48 1/5 and 1:12 2/5. Farther back in the field were Hymn Book, the Donn hero who tracked in fifth, and Ron the Greek, the Big 'Cap winner who traveled in sixth down the backside.

Approaching the stretch, Alternation still had plenty in the tank as several contenders began to make their bid. The most serious came from Ron the Greek, who got within three parts of a length of Alternation with an eighth remaining, but Alternation re-broke on the field and extended his margin to 2 1/2 lengths at the wire. The final time for 1 1/8 miles on a fast track was 1:49 4/5.

Alternation, the 7-2 fourth choice in a field of eight, paid $9.20, $4.60 and $3.40. Ron the Greek, the 5-2 favorite, edged a determined Yawanna Twist for second by a half-length, with Hymn Book another three-quarters of a length behind in the fourth. Completing the order of finish were Stachys, 5-2 second choice Nehro, 2011 Oaklawn Handicap winner Win Willy, and Don Dulce.

Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Alternation has now won five of six over the Hot Springs, Arkansas, course, and is 12-7-1-1 overall with career earnings of $720,004. Winner in three of his first four starts, Alternation's classic aspirations were derailed a year ago when he ran fifth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby after a troubled trip. He rebounded to take the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont Park, but was fourth in both the Grade 2 Jim Dandy and Grade 2 Super Derby in his next two outings. Fitted with blinkers for his sophomore finale, in the Oklahoma Derby, Alternation turned in an improved effort to finish second by a head to Redeemed.

Alternation kicked off his four-year-old season with a 3 1/2-length triumph in the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn on February 4. Up to this point a mid-pack stalking type, Alternation showed a new dimension in the Razorback last time, taking the lead in another race lacking speed. The Distorted Humor colt set a moderate pace and went on to score by 1 1/2 lengths over Tapizar. Alternation is expected to move with the Von Hemel stable to Arlington Park, outside Chicago, for the summer.

Alternation was bred in Kentucky and produced by the multiple stakes-winning Alternate, a Seattle Slew half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Peaks and Valleys. This is the extended family of Grade 3 winners Eleusis, Equality and Cryptograph. Another descended from this female family is the multiple champion filly Open Mind.