Sporting Chance could start season in Southwest Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sporting Chance had a significant work Monday at Oaklawn, where he went five furlongs in company in 1:01.40 in preparation for his first start since winning the Grade 1 Hopeful in September at Saratoga.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said if the horse continues to progress as desired he will start his season in the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 19 at Oaklawn.

“That’s his target right now, if everything goes well,” Lukas said. “He hasn’t missed a beat. He’s come right along. We’ve done everything we wanted to do – even in light of the weather we were okay. We’ve been pretty lucky. We’re really pleased with him.”

Lukas said Luis Saez will have the mount on Sporting Chance if he goes in the Southwest. Saez rode the horse in the Hopeful.

In the work, which came on a fast track, Sporting Chance broke just behind his mate, tracked him on the turn, and then left his company approaching the sixteenth pole. Sporting Chance then proceeded to move past a horse that had broken off before his set, with clockers getting Sporting Chance’s final quarter in 23.60 seconds.