Southwest Stakes

Notes:
Southern California invader Super Ninety Nine is the 7/5 morning line favorite to give conditioner Bob Baffert his 4 th victory in the Southwest S. The 1 1/16m G3 contest is the final 10 point prep in the new Kentucky Derby qualifying system. Jockey Rafael Bejarano, who rode Super Ninety Nine to a runner up finish in the G3 Hollywood Prevue S. last November and to a win in his seasonal debut on 1/31, travels with the colt to take on nine rivals. Will Take Charge, Texas Bling and Always in a Tiz, who were part of a three-horse photo in the Smarty Jones S. here last month, all return in pursuit of additional points to run for the roses. Will Take Charge sports some zippy works as he goes for his 2 nd consecutive stakes score. Springboard Mile S. hero Texas Bling, who was only a neck behind at the Smarty Jones wire, continues to get little respect and was made 12/1 by the Oaklawn oddsmaker. Always in a Tiz returned briefly to his South Florida base after the Smarty Jones then came back to work five panels over this surface one week ago. Brown Almighty and Officer Alex were well-beaten with legitimate excuses in the Smarty Jones. The former exited that contest with a severe lung infection and the latter crossed the wire with only three of his shoes. Fear the Kitten ships in from New Orleans after running 3 rd 13 lengths behind Oxbow in the G3 Lecomte S. at Fair Grounds. Heaven s Runway makes his first start for the Joe Martin barn off a 4 th -place finish in the muddy Big Drama S. at Delta Downs. Channel Ilse was drubbed in his only stakes try, the Springboard Mile last December, but closed from far back to take an allowance over this oval on 1/25. Flashy debut maiden winner Big Lute gets a class check after posting a 99 BRIS Speed Rating when running away with a 6f event on 2/1.
Southwest Stakes is a horse racing event that is organized at Oaklawn Park. It has a purse value of 300,000. 3 years old horses that can cover a distance of 8 furlong may participate in the race.

Southwest Stakes Video