Zulfikhar to skip Southwest, run in allowance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The 3-year-old action at Oaklawn on Monday does not stop with the running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes. It carries over into the final race on the card, when Zulfikhar, New York Central, and Transgress meet in an optional $62,500 claiming race over 1 1/16 miles.

It’s the sort of race that could produce starters for next month’s Rebel at Oaklawn.

Zulfikhar is in from Southern California, having traveled to town Friday with stablemate Mourinho, who was to start as the probable favorite in the Southwest. There had been a chance the Southwest would split into divisions depending on how many entries were received Friday, and its status was not known at the time the horses had to fly out. Zulfikhar ultimately was entered in the allowance instead of the Southwest.

“We were hoping for a split,” said Bob Baffert, who trains Zulfikhar. “I didn’t want to run both of them in the same race.

“We’re there. So we can’t turn back.”

Zulfikhar is a son of Bodemeister, winner of the 2012 Arkansas Derby for Baffert. Zulfikhar is making his first start since July 7, when he won a maiden special weight at five furlongs at Los Alamitos. He covered the distance in 56.73 seconds and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 82.

“I’m asking him to do a lot, stretching out off a really long layoff,” Baffert said. “We’ll see what he does. I think he’s a very talented horse.

“We know his sire likes Oaklawn. Maybe he’ll like it.”

Drayden Van Dyke has the mount from post 8 for owner Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa al-Maktoum.

New York Central was second by three-quarters of a length at this level Jan. 13 at Oaklawn. It was his first start at two turns. Earlier in his career, he was third to Seven Trumpets, who was to run in the Southwest. New York Central will break from post 5 under Ricardo Santana Jr.

“He’s a very talented horse and it’s time for him to step up,” trainer Steve Asmussen said.