Uncontested faces large field, pace pressure in Southwest Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Uncontested enters the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Monday as the top 3-year-old at Oaklawn. But he faces a new round of challenges to maintain his standing.

Uncontested must deal with a jumbo field of 12 rivals that includes new shooters like Lookin At Lee and One Liner and improving locals like Petrov. There’s also the question of pace, as pressure could come from Cool Arrow, Chief Know It All, and Warrior’s Club.

“It’s always going to be a tougher race, a tougher test, tougher situations,” said Wayne Catalano, who trains Uncontested.

Despite the exterior forces, Uncontested remains the one to beat. He’s a notable draw on an outstanding card that includes the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap, led by Gun Runner, and an optional $80,000 claiming route that drew graded stakes winners Suddenbreakingnews and Shotgun Kowboy.

The Southwest will be run over 1 1/16 miles, and the first four finishers will earn Kentucky Derby eligibility points on a sliding scale of 10-4-2-1. Uncontested and Lookin At Lee are both members of the initial Derby Watch contender list put out Friday by Daily Racing Form.

Southwest (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Uncontested, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 96-78-89

◗ He set a quick pace and went on to a 5 1/4-length win in the Smarty Jones Stakes, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 96 that he earned in that one-mile race is tied for the second-best number put up by a 3-year-old colt in 2017.

“We were very happy with the performance, obviously, breaking the stakes record and handling the slop and handling the step up,” said Catalano, who trains Uncontested for Harry Rosenblum and Bob LaPenta.

◗ Uncontested has the kind of quickness that again could put him in a position to control the pace. He will break from post 3 under Channing Hill.

“When you got speed, you kind of pick your own spot,” Catalano said. “We’ll watch the weather. We’ll see how the races run that day, try to see how everything unfolds for the day by the time our race comes.”

Forecasts call for a high approaching 70 degrees and a 60 percent chance of precipitation.

◗ Uncontested will be seeking his first win beyond a mile in the Southwest.

“I don’t think the mile and a sixteenth should bug us,” said Catalano.

Lookin At Lee, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 83-83-72

◗ He exits a fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, a race that has produced a pair of next-out Grade 3 winners in Gormley and Term of Art. Earlier last year, Lookin At Lee won the Ellis Park Juvenile, then moved to two turns and ran second in both the Grade 3 Iroquois and Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity. He will be making his first start since Nov. 5.

“I thought he got better last year as the year went on,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “I thought he ran very solid races in the Iroquois, the Breeders’ Futurity, as well as the Breeders’ Cup. We gave him a break. He had plenty of races last year, and we gave him a bit of a freshening.”

◗ Lookin At Lee arrived at Oaklawn earlier this month with the intention of a spring campaign built around the track’s 3-year-old Kentucky Derby preps that include the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel on March 18 and the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 15. Lookin At Lee, who races for L and N Racing, made a favorable impression in his local breeze Feb. 13.

“He’s a big, strong horse,” Asmussen said. “I think the series at Oaklawn suits him, for him to be at his best for the [Kentucky] Derby, which, off what he did last year and the company he kept, I think it’s extremely reasonable to put him in that category.

“We’re excited about the prospect of the races getting further for him, from what he showed last year.”

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount on the closer from post 4.

Petrov, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 86-81-76

◗ He was in chase mode in the Smarty Jones, which was won wire-to-wire, and might benefit if the pace is contested Monday.

“I think that he’s a grinder,” said trainer Ron Moquett. “I think the other day, we sent him. I think his most efficient style is to just keep coming.”

◗ Jose Ortiz has the mount from post 8.

Hence, by Street Boss
Last 3 Beyers: 75-74-68

◗ He enters off a maiden special weight win at the Southwest’s distance Jan. 16 at Oaklawn. Earlier in his career, he lined up against Guest Suite, the eventual winner of the Lecomte Stakes, and Mo Town, the eventual winner of the Remsen Stakes.

“Hence has a high talent level,” Asmussen said. “He’s kept very good company, and he’s got a win over the Oaklawn surface, and we know how important that can be.”

One Liner, by Into Mischief
Beyers: 87-72

◗ He’s won both of his starts, including an allowance sprint Jan. 26 at Gulfstream.

◗ John Velazquez has the mount from post 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher.