HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park’s road to the Arkansas Derby gets serious on Monday with the running of the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest. Super Ninety Nine has invaded from Southern California for trainer Bob Baffert to lead the 10-horse field. Will Take Charge, Texas Bling and Always in a Tiz are back for a rematch after being separated by a neck in last month’s $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn. And then there’s Big Lute, who is making his two-turn debut after winning the first race of his career with a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Whether it’s the prospect of taking on the undefeated Violence or just bad timing, it appears a small field will be lining up for Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.

Violence will be making his first start since rallying to a 1 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Dec. 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park. He has been training for his 3-year-old bow with trainer Todd Pletcher at Palm Meadows.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will be firing from upfront and behind Monday when he sends out Will Take Charge and Channel Isle in the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest at Oaklawn Park. Will Take Charge figures to be close to the pace in the 1 1/16-mile race, while Channel Isle will be a late threat.

ARCADIA, Calif. – A seven-furlong sprint Sunday at Santa Anita marks the winter launch for a handful of Triple Crown candidates based in California, including the intriguing debut winner War Academy.

“If he is going to have any chance of making the Kentucky Derby, he needs to start this week,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “It’s time. It’s crunch time.”

War Academy is one of three Baffert runners in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes, each starting for the first time this year. Shakin It Up is favored, lightly raced Belvin adds speed, and War Academy wants farther.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Salutos Amigos, winner of a six-furlong maiden race Feb. 9, is being pointed to the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on March 9, a race expected to draw a strong field of 3-year-olds.

Owned by Southern Equine Stable and Mike Smith, Salutos Amigos made his third start Feb. 9. The Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes will be the first start around two turns for Salutos Amigos, who is by Salute the Sarge.

“Why not see if he’s a route horse?” trainer Eric Guillot said. “At least this way, we’ll know.”

NEW ORLEANS – Five invaders – from Florida, California, and points in between – are expected for the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 23.

As of Thursday, the racing office considered 12 horses possible for the 1 1/16-mile race, the final two-turn stakes prep for the Louisiana Derby. Entries will be taken Monday.

Remsen runner-up Normandy Invasion, trained by Chad Brown, and Palace Malice, who will be making his stakes debut for trainer Todd Pletcher, will be coming from Palm Meadows in Florida. Each of those colts has raced three times.

When Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed last Sunday, there was $481,632 bet to win and another $139,861 in the exacta pool, which adds up to $621,493. That may seem like a robust number, but how grand a total is it?

My favorite longshot to win the Kentucky Derby was not listed among the 23 individual betting interests last week in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. His name is Shakin It Up, and he hasn’t yet received the attention he deserves, but that’s going to change when he makes his first start of the year Sunday at Santa Anita in the seven-furlong, Grade  2 San Vicente.

He hasn’t run a bad race yet. He finished second behind the talented Super Ninety Nine in his debut at Santa Anita, then dominated maidens there by 4 1/2 lengths in his second start.

The eighth season of Countdown to the Crown returns as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 4 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class from the maiden ranks through the Grade 1 stakes. You can access daily updates, opinions and interactive features at Countdowntothecrown.com as well.

Straight from the gate

Despite the fact Cornelio Velasquez is 3 for 3 aboard Vyjack, Joel Rosario will ride the 3-year-old in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on March 2, trainer Rudy Rodriguez confirmed Thursday.

Rodriguez said owner David Wilkenfeld wanted to make the change to Rosario, who is the leading rider at the Gulfstream Park meeting. Rosario gives up the ride on Called to Serve in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap to ride Vyjack.

“The owner wanted to make a change. That’s his call, it’s his horse,” Rodriguez said.