American Butterfly might get chance in Southwest

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas could jump on the Kentucky Derby trail next week with American Butterfly. He said Friday the horse is being considered for the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 17 at Oaklawn.

American Butterfly was second by a head in a highly rated allowance here Feb. 2. He rallied up the rail and earned his best career Beyer Figure, an 83.

“The eyeball test was the best, too,” Lukas said.

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Lukas said he liked the courage and determination American Butterfly showed making his bid up the rail. He was part of a four-horse rush to the wire, with the six furlong race going in 1:10.

“Supposedly it was a very good set of horses,” Lukas said. “Everybody kind of liked their horses.

“We’re going to look at the Southwest, just take a look and see how it comes up. The Rebel is a possibility, too. We’ll just see how things shake out.”

Lukas said American Butterfly should appreciate the added ground of the 1 1/16-mile Southwest as a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. The horse races for Les Wagner and last year he won a maiden special weight at Saratoga and was fourth in the track’s Grade 1 Hopeful.

Lukas said that Bravazo, the $2 million earner who races for breeder Calumet Farm, is being pointed for the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap, also on Feb. 17. Joe Talamo has the mount, he said.