Big field expected for Southwest Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope anticipates a field of 10 to 12 for the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Monday. The maximum gate for the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds – which carries eligibility points for the Kentucky Derby – is 14.

Gray Attempt, the winner of the $150,000 Smarty Jones last month at Oaklawn, is being pointed for the Southwest, according to trainer Jinks Fires. He is to be ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan.

Long Range Toddy and Boldor, who were second and third in the Smarty Jones, both will advance to the Southwest, as will stakes winner Bankit and allowance winner Jersey Agenda, said Steve Asmussen, who trains all four of them. Jersey Agenda breezed an easy half-mile in 50.60 seconds by himself on Wednesday at Oaklawn.

Six Shooter, who was fourth in the Smarty Jones, will run back in the Southwest with Stewart Elliott to ride, trainer Paul Holthus said Wednesday.

Trainer Mark Casse said Olympic Runner was to fly into Arkansas from his Florida base on Thursday to run in the Southwest, with the mount going to David Cohen.

Pope said other potential starters are Cutting Humor, Dorrance, Sueno, and Super Steed.

The Southwest will be part of a 10-race program drawn Friday. The card will include the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap and Grade 3, $200,000 Bayakoa.

Souper Tapit, who won the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic last month at Gulfstream Park, is being pointed for the Razorback, trainer Mark Casse said. The horse was to arrive Wednesday afternoon from Fair Grounds. Casse said David Cohen has the mount Monday.

Another horse headed for the Razorback is Copper Bullet, Asmussen said Wednesday.

“First start at two turns, first start at 4,” he said.

Copper Bullet is a Grade 2 winner for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Arkansas resident Willis Horton.

For the Bayakoa, Asmussen has a leading contender in She’s a Julie.

Oaklawn boosts purses

Oaklawn announced maiden special weights are now worth $83,000 and no-conditions allowances $87,000 after a purse increase to all overnight races that was to go into effect Thursday. The categories are both up by $6,000 a race. Oaklawn increased other overnight categories, like claiming and starter allowances, by either $3,000 or $2,000.

“We opened later and had one of the best opening weekends in 10 years,” said Oaklawn president Lou Cella.

◗ Whitmore on Wednesday had his first work since running second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 3. He went a half-mile in 52.40 seconds at his Oaklawn Park base.

◗ Mississippi, who ran third in last year's Grade 1 Florida Derby, starts his 4-year-old season in Friday's seventh race at Oaklawn. The optional $16,000 claiming sprint carries first-level allowance conditions.