Ky. Jockey Club winner Keepmeinmind works bullet five furlongs for Southwest

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Keepmeinmind put in a significant work on Tuesday at Oaklawn Park as he continues preparations for the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 15.

The race will be his first start since he won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club on Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs.

Keepmeinmind worked over a fast track after the second renovation break Tuesday, on a sunny morning that reached 40 degrees. Keepmeinmind breezed five furlongs by himself, covering the distance in a bullet 59 seconds. Jockey David Cohen was aboard.

Trainer Robertino Diodoro carried the horse galloping out a mile in 1:40.40.

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“His works have been consistently good since we’ve been here, which I like - with any horse, especially a young horse,” Diodoro said. “Big gallop outs, and that continued today as well.”

Diodoro said Cohen has the mount in the Southwest. The rider was aboard for the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Keepmeinmind worked without blinkers Tuesday, but will wear them in the Southwest, said Diodoro. The horse has worn the equipment since his third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Diodoro said Keepmeinmind is scheduled to breeze an easy half-mile next week in his final prep for the Southwest. Others pointing for the race include champion Essential Quality and multiple Grade 1 winner Jackie’s Warrior.

The Southwest doles out Kentucky Derby eligibility points to its first four finishers on a scale of 10-4-2-1.

Keepmeinmind is a son of Laoban who races for Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith. He is one of the top 3-year-olds based this meet at Oaklawn.