Keepmeinmind will skip Southwest Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Keepmeinmind, the top 3-year-old based at Oaklawn Park, will bypass an intended start in the track’s Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes on Saturday and instead point to its Rebel Stakes, trainer Robertino Diodoro said Tuesday.

The Grade 2, $1 million Rebel will be run March 13 at Oaklawn. It awards its winner 50 points for the Kentucky Derby.

Keepmeinmind is skipping the Southwest after Oaklawn was forced to shut down its track for training for 11 days from Feb. 12 through Monday. The move came at the hands of an extended winter storm. Horses were able to get back on the track Tuesday.

Diodoro said the decision to bypass the Southwest came after discussions with Keepmeinmind’s ownership. He will not be entered in the race Tuesday and will instead begin preparations for the Rebel.

“I want to go over there knowing he’s ready to go,” Diodoro said Tuesday.

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Diodoro said he plans to work Keepmeinmind on Saturday, weather permitting.

The Rebel will be run over 1 1/16 miles, the same distance as the Southwest. The Rebel will be the first start at 3 for Keepmeinmind, who in his most recent out won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in November at Churchill Downs.

Since the win, Spendthrift Farm has bought into Keepmeinmind. The horse also races for Cypress Creek LLC and Arnold Bennewith.

The Southwest, which offers its winner 10 points for the Kentucky Derby, is expected to draw champion Essential Quality, multiple Grade 1 winner Jackie's Warrior, and Grade 2 winner Spielberg.

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