Analysis: A Brief Introduction to Southwest Staking

Oaklawn ParkOnce again, Southwest Stakes (G3) will provide qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2023, just this year there will be even more exciting things to come. The 28th of January bets will yield a total of 40 points with the top five finishers who, if qualified, will receive 20-8-6-4-2 points in descending order.

A field of nine is included for this year’s edition, including a handful that are likely to become key players in this year’s Triple Crown chase.

first. Thunder (Morning Odds 10-1): Stretch a mile for a second start and score a decisive win first. There’s pedigree for handling two turns here, but his speed numbers for that win leave him lagging behind the top contenders.

2. corona (6-1): He’s unbeaten in his two starts and the last one was excellent, winning a head-to-head gate style 6 3/4 in quick time. That victory came in six long distances, but he was bred to handle two turns and the way he reacted to this test was one of the more engaging elements of the race.

RACING: Flavien Prat; TEACHER: Brad Cox

3. Jace’s Road (4-1): He redeemed himself for trying badly on a sloppy track in Street Sense Stakes by winning Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds in impressive style. He considers himself part of a heated matchup that will play a major role in deciding the outcome and having experience in two-way bets gives him a big advantage.

4. West Ghent (20-1): He showed some progress by finishing fourth here in Smarty Jones Stakes at 56.70-1. Having D. Wayne Lukas as coach will help his career, but he will need another big step to become a strong contender.

5. dim departure (15-1): He wins the bet, but it was in a six-quarter sprint and twice he tried to navigate in two turns failed. Hard to recommend in this location.

6. Arab Knights (1-1): Making his long-awaited game debut after taking a dazzling first win at Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup in Keeneland. He’s inexperienced but talented, and coach Bob Baffert is an expert at bringing out the best in a promising 3-year-old runner. It’s hard to ignore the potential he has.

7. Red Road One (10-1): A troubled fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, he got two months off to prepare for this race. His training is sharp and with his late running style, he will be a factor in the extended final.

8. impressions (10-1): Looks good to win the allowance race on this track. One of three horses trained by Brad Cox in the field and he shows up as a weak link in the trio, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he ended up in strange things.

9. tomato (30-1): Won by a margin in the first race at Remington Park but is taking a big step forward in class. He faces a tough challenge from the outside post.