Maycocks Bay scratched from Southwest Stakes due to illness

Maycocks Bay has been scratched from the Grade 3, $800,000 Southwest Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park after spiking a temperature, trainer Michael Stidham said Friday.

The defection leaves a field of 11.

Maycocks Bay had shipped to Arkansas from Fair Grounds, where he dominated an entry-level allowance route in his last start, winning by more than 10 lengths. The Beyer Speed Figure of 95 that he earned was the best last-race number in the Southwest. Maycocks Bay was the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday.

“He shipped up from Fair Grounds yesterday and arrived in good order,” Stidham said Friday. “This morning, at about 4:30 a.m., I got a call from my assistant, and he said he had a 104-degree temperature.

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“We pulled blood. It looks like a typical virus with a temperature. Already this afternoon, he’s showing signs of improvement. His temperature is down to normal. He’s back in the feed tub. Hopefully, we just give him time to get over this and move forward.”

Stidham said Maycocks Bay would remain at Oaklawn to recover, avoiding the stress of shipping. He will eventually return to his base of Fair Grounds.

Maycocks Bay, who wired his rivals in his last start, was set to break from the rail in the Southwest.

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