HOT SPRINGS (AR) – Already a two-time local sprint winner and runner-up in the Razorback Handicap (G3) in his last start, Banishing outdueled Grade 1 stakes winner Saudi Crown through the short stretch to post a one-length victory Saturday in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3).

Sent off as the 8-5 second choice in the six-horse field, Banishing raced just off pacesetter Saudi Crown through fractions of 46:01 for the opening half and a brisk 1:09.68 for the initial three-quarters of the one-mile race. The pair dueled throughout the stretch from there, with Banishing exerting some superiority over the final eighth of a mile to win by one length. The 5-year-old gelding by champion Ghostbuster completed the one-mile distance in 1:36.77 and returned $5.20 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show.

Saudi Crown was 9 ½-lengths in front of third-place finisher The Wine Steward as Dimatic, Just Steel and I’m McDreamy completed the order of finish in that order. Emmanuel and Payne were both scratched.

Co-owned by Lawrence P. Roman and trainer David Jacobson, Banishing won the seventh time in 17 carer outings and the $292,500 winner’s share of the purse improved his career earnings to $778,804.