WHO’S HOT
Arabian Knight opens as the 6-1 favorite on the Daily Racing Form Derby Watch odds by David Aragona following his romp in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on Jan. 28 at Oaklawn Park. As of midweek, it was unclear how Arabian Knight will qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs has banned Baffert trainees from competing at the track or earning Derby points through this year’s Derby. The next start for Arabian Knight is to be determined.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Private Creed, who was a closing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November, could get a shot at a Kentucky Derby points race. Trainer Steve Asmussen said Sunday that he plans to move the horse to dirt following his runner-up finish in the $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.

Private Creed raced with the pace over soft ground at Sam Houston and was just edged by Andthewinneris. Private Creed earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

Time may have run out for Cave Rock to make his targeted comeback race, initially planned to be the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park.

“It’s getting tight,” trainer Bob Baffert acknowledged last weekend. “I leave the door open; it’s not closed completely.”

$750,000 Southwest Stakes, Jan. 28, 2023 [20 qualifying points for first (not awarded), 8 for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth, and 2 for fifth]

Winner: Arabian Knight, by Uncle Mo
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: John Velazquez
Owner: Zedan Racing Stables
Distance / time: 1 1/16 miles / 1:43.50 (sloppy, sealed)
Win margin: 5 1/2
Beyer: 96

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Arabian Knight has initially emerged from his tour-de-force run in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in fine fashion and likely will have a good amount of time between now and his next start, trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday. The horse is scheduled to return to his Santa Anita base Tuesday, the trainer said.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Every horse in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest on Saturday at Oaklawn Park has something to prove, whether a leading Kentucky Derby points earner in Jace’s Road, a $2.3 million purchase in Arabian Knight, an undefeated stakes winner in Corona Bolt, a blueblood in Red Route One, or a local stakes winner in Frosted Departure.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Verifying, a half-brother to champion Midnight Bisou who is tied atop the Beyer Speed Figure standings for 3-year-olds, will likely make his next start in a Kentucky Derby points race at Oaklawn Park or Fair Grounds, according to trainer Brad Cox.  

Verifying was a first-level allowance winner at a mile Jan. 14 at Oaklawn and the Beyer of 97 that he earned ranks first in his division. A day later, Hejazi won a maiden sprint at Santa Anita with the same number. Verifying has since returned to his base at Fair Grounds, said Cox. 

Grade 3, $194,500 Lecomte Stakes, Fair Grounds, Jan. 21, 2023, (20 qualifying points for first, 8 for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth, and 2 for fifth)

Winner: Instant Coffee, by Bolt d’Oro
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
Owner: Gold Square
Distance / time: 1 1/16 miles / 1:45.12
Win margin: 2 1/2 lengths
Beyer: 92

Pool 3 in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening with the mutuel field as the 2-1 favorite among 40 wagering options.

The field, or “all-other” male runners, was a clear-cut choice over individual entries Forte (7-1), Instant Coffee (15-1), Loggins (16-1), and Extra Anejo (18-1) after the customary three-day window of betting. A “3-year-old filly” option was 33-1.

Combined handle (win and exacta) in Pool 3 was $312,906. The lowest $2 exacta combination was the field over Forte (40-13), worth $39.28.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Practical Move, winner of the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 17, is under consideration for one of two Grade 2 stakes at 1 1/16 miles later this winter, trainer Tim Yakteen said Sunday.

Races such as the $1 million Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park and the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 4 at Santa Anita are possibilities for Practical Move’s 3-year-old debut, Yakteen said.

“We have a lot of options,” he said.