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.

Grade 3, $98,500 Sham Stakes, Santa Anita, Jan. 8, 2023
(10 qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, 1 for fifth)

Winner: Reincarnate, by Good Magic
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet
Beyer Speed Figure: 95
Distance - time: 1 mile - 1:35.87
Win margin: Neck

$250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, Jan. 1, 2023 (10 qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for fifth) 

Winner: Victory Formation, by Tapwrit
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner: Spendthrift Farm and Frank Fletcher Racing Operations
Beyer: 91
Distance - time: 1 mile – 1:38.14
Win margin: 3 lengths

Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Keeneland, Nov. 4, 2022 (30 qualifying points for first, 12 for second, 9 for third, 6 for fourth, and 3 for fifth) 

Winner: Forte, by Violence
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr
Owner: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Beyer: 100 
Distance – time: 1 1/16 miles – 1:43.06
Win margin: 1 1/2 lengths

Woodford Reserve, the bourbon brand sold by Brown-Forman, has reached an agreement with Churchill Downs Inc. to extend its presenting sponsorship of the Kentucky Derby through 2027, the companies announced on Wednesday.

ARCADIA, Calif. – A pair of party crashers face a tough task at Santa Anita on Sunday when they try to wrest the Grade 3 Sham Stakes from a stable that practically owns the race for 3-year-olds.

At a mile on dirt, the Sham presents multiple challenges for romping maiden sprint winner Spun Intended and graded turf winner Packs a Wahlop. One is unproven at two turns, the other unproven on dirt, both might be outclassed, and they definitely are outnumbered.