Arabian Knight headed to Oaklawn for Southwest Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Arabian Knight, romping debut winner last fall at Keeneland and among the most highly regarded 3-year-old colts in California, will ship to Oaklawn Park for his 2023 debut in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes on Jan. 28.

Trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday confirmed plans to ship the $2.3 million Uncle Mo colt to the Southwest, a 1 1/16-mile race he has won five times including in 2022 with Newgrange. Plans call for Arabian Knight to ship Tuesday to Oaklawn.

Despite his inexperience having raced only once, Arabian Knight ranks as one the top 3-year-old prospects in California based on his smashing debut Nov. 5 at Keeneland. He won the seven-furlong race by more than seven lengths in 1:21.98 and earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

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A $2.3 million purchase last spring at a 2-year-old sale by Zedan Racing, Arabian Knight has trained impressively in recent weeks, including a five-furlong work Saturday in company with stablemate Faustin. Both colts were timed in 59.20 seconds. Faustin won his debut Dec. 26 and is one of eight 3-year-olds Baffert nominated to the Grade 2, seven-furlong San Vicente on Jan. 29 at Santa Anita.

The post-position draw for the Southwest is Monday.

* Fun to Dream, the Baffert-trained winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26, looked strong working six furlongs Sunday in 1:11.60. A 4-year-old California-bred filly by Arrogate, Fun to Dream will run seven furlongs again in Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes for fillies and mares on Feb. 4. La Brea runner-up Awake At Midnyte worked five furlongs Sunday in 1:00.80 and also is expected to run in the Santa Monica. She is trained by Doug O’Neill.

* Desert Dawn, winner of the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks last spring prior to finishing third in the Kentucky Oaks, posted her first official comeback breeze Sunday for trainer Phil D’Amato. Desert Dawn went three furlongs in 38.40.

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