Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes; 1 1/16 miles; Oaklawn; Feb. 17, 2020  (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Silver Prospector, by Declaration of War Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Owner: Ed and Susie Orr Beyer Speed Figure: 97 :: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee  This was the last of the early season prep races worth 17 points overall, with 10 to the winner. SILVER PROSPECTOR, who found the one mile (with the finish at the sixteenth pole) and moderate pace of the Smarty Jones too high a hurdle to clear, got more real estate to work with, plus a faster pace, and responded with the best race of his career. His Beyer Figure was a six-point top over his maiden win sprinting at Keeneland last fall, and 15 points better than what he got in both the Smarty Jones and his win in the Kentucky Jockey Club; he originally got an 81 in the Kentucky Jockey Club, but it was later bumped up a point. This is the time of year when it is imperative for serious Derby contenders to make a forward move, and Silver Prospector certainly did so. And he’s getting plenty of foundation. This was his eighth start and he’s scheduled for two more, in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby. That’s the kind of experience that can prove invaluable on May 2. In this race, Silver Prospector saved ground around the first turn while following pacesetter WELLS BAYOU. He was able to gradually move closer down the backstretch, sat behind Wells Bayou on the far turn while awaiting a seam, split Wells Bayou and ANSWER IN coming off the bend, took the lead a furlong out and was under strong pressure to finish off the race. The final time was nearly identical (1:43.01 to 1:43) to what older horses ran in the Razorback 34 minutes earlier, underscoring the legitimacy of the strong Beyer Fig. Wells Bayou, who finished second, was a little jumpy in the gate prior to the start but broke well, was sent along, and used his rail draw and speed to head to the front while carving out a sharp pace (22.89 seconds, 46.60). He turned back a bid from Answer In on the far turn, couldn’t quite go with Silver Prospector in the late going, but still ran on well and finished 5 1/2 lengths clear of Answer In. This was the first time he had raced on a fast track after three prior races on sloppy or muddy surfaces. Answer In, who was third, could not get over from his outside draw and went into the first turn in the five path, then advanced to stalk the early leaders while hung wide. He switched off nicely down the backstretch, moved anew in the three path on the far turn to launch his bid, got to the hip of Wells Bayou a quarter-mile out, but began to weaken upon entering the lane. He lugged in sharply at mid-stretch when struck right-handed, then did it a second time a few seconds later while continuing to drift to the rail. His next race will be pivotal. This was his first start in two months, and he was wide throughout, but he didn’t finish off the race as though he wanted more distance. If he did in fact need the race, he will take a big leap forward next time. If he in fact is getting to the outer limits of his distance capabilities, that will be evident next time, too, assuming he stays at Oaklawn for the Rebel. SHOPLIFTED, who was fourth, lacked early speed and saved ground around the first turn while eighth of nine runners. He moved closer heading into the far turn while following Silver Prospector, was angled out coming off the bend to go outside of Answer In, but just went evenly the rest of the way. He likely will prefer a cutback in distance. :: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter TAISHAN, who was fifth, stumbled leaving the gate, then went into the first turn in the four path. He was eased back a bit late on the first turn and dropped back to seventh, was caught in no-man’s land in about the five path heading into the far turn, was widest of all coming into the lane, and made no impact late. He’s probably not this good right now, but it’s hard to completely indict him as this trip did him no favors. VILLAINOUS, who was sixth, was hustled away from the gate and was just behind and outside Wells Bayou around the first turn. He began to weaken three furlongs out when Answer In launched his bid outside him, and was done before reaching the quarter pole. AMERICAN BUTTERFLY, who was seventh, raced in the two path while behind a wall of horses around the first turn while way too keen. He tugged hard down the backstretch while unable to get over at any point while between Answer In and Taishan, made a mild run from the four path around the far turn, then drifted in through the lane while tiring. His three routes have shown he’s a late-running sprinter. He’s yet to try turf, but with his pedigree (American Pharoah out of a War Front mare), he would be an intriguing play if sent elsewhere – like Gulfstream -- for a turf sprint. CHASE TRACKER, who was eighth, stumbled leaving the gate and was last into the first turn while in the three path. He raced outside Shoplifted down the backstretch, was outrun heading into the far turn, and never got involved in a lackluster effort. GOLD STREET, who finished last of nine, was outrun early by Wells Bayou, then got squeezed  back between Wells Bayou and Villainous around the first turn and was shuffled back to fifth. He followed Villainous down the backstretch while in traffic, dropped back while between rivals midway on the far turn, and steadily retreated. His three prior races, all wins, were all on off tracks in which he was on or near the lead. That’s his wheelhouse. This didn’t unfold to his liking.