Gray Attempt faces rivals new and old in Southwest

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Gray Attempt and a posse of five horses from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will attempt to defend their Oaklawn territory against Southern California shipper Sueno and a pair of Florida invaders in the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Monday.

The Southwest, which drew 11 horses, continues Oaklawn’s series for 3-year-olds, which began with the Jan. 25 Smarty Jones and is capped by the $1 million Rebel and $1 million Arkansas Derby. The first four finishers Monday earn Kentucky Derby points on a scale of 10-4-2-1.

“It’s time for somebody to step up,” Asmussen said of his Southwest starters, which are Bankit, Boldor, Jersey Agenda, Long Range Toddy, and Ninth Street.

Monday’s card includes the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap and the Grade 3, $200,000 Bayakoa, both at the same 1 1/16-mile distance of the Southwest.

Southwest Stakes (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Gray Attempt, by Graydar

(Last 3 Beyers: 84-92-81)

◗ He is seeking his third straight stakes win following the Sugar Bowl at Fair Grounds and a wire job in the Smarty Jones, a mile race at Oaklawn that ended at the sixteenth pole. Gray Attempt was a neck winner over Long Range Toddy in the Smarty Jones, having used his speed early to get position from the widest gate in the eight-horse field.

“I felt good once he got into the first turn,” said trainer Jinks Fires. “I thought he was pretty gritty down the lane when that horse came to him. He tried to get by him and he dug back in.”

◗ Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount from the rail on Gray Attempt, who will spot his rivals three to five pounds each Monday.

Sueno, by Atreides

(Last 3 Beyers: 81-74-64)

◗ Winner of the Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate in December, he comes off a runner-up finish to Gunmetal Gray in last month’s Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita.

“He was close to a fast pace with relative ease and he punched home with some authority and just got run down by a very good horse,” said trainer Keith Desormeaux. “That race was also his second race back off a bit of a layoff, so I don’t think he was dead fit. With this race being his third race back, he should have a peak performance.”

◗ Corey Lanerie has the mount from post 7.

Long Range Toddy, by Take Charge Indy

(Last 3 Beyers: 83-82-77)

◗ He’s won two stakes, including the $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. Long Range Toddy was just behind the leader in the Smarty Jones, and he fought along the rail in the stretch while spotting three pounds to Gray Attempt.

“He had a solid run in the Smarty Jones and it looks like another sixteenth of a mile won’t eliminate him,” Asmussen said of the added ground Monday.

Boldor, by Munnings

(Last 3 Beyers: 83-74-73)

◗ He was a stalking third, beaten a half-length, in the Smarty Jones after launching his career in back-to-back sprints in Kentucky.

“He’s got every reason to move forward off his first two-turn race,” Asmussen said.

Olympic Runner, by Gio Ponti

(Beyers: 82-61)

◗ He is one of two entered who last raced at Gulfstream, the other being Cutting Humor. Olympic Runner won a maiden special weight route in the slop in his second start last out on Jan. 26.

“He should have won his first start on the turf – he had kind of a horrid trip,” said trainer Mark Casse. “I had him back in on the grass and it came off and he won by five, probably could have won by 10. He ran a big Beyer and deserves a shot. I think he’s a talented horse. Is he a Kentucky Derby horse? That remains to be seen. He earned a shot, so we’re going to take a shot.”