Weather shifts Southwest date

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Oaklawn Park has rescheduled the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes for next Saturday after being forced to cancel Monday's planned running because of freezing temperatures. Oaklawn called off the final six races Monday, as temperatures were 32 degrees and dropping in Hot Springs.

"The reason for the cancellation was that the track was starting to ice up," said Terry Wallace, spokesperson for Oaklawn.

Wallace said the surface was "balling up" and the material began hitting jockeys. Wallace said one or two riders said their goggles were breaking as a result, and at that point management and the jockeys made the joint decision to call off the balance of the card Monday.

Wallace said the Southwest would be redrawn on Thursday. The one-mile race for 3-year-olds is the first of two major preps for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Oaklawn did not train on Monday morning because of freezing temperatures overnight in Hot Springs.