We have four Kentucky Derby Prep Races taking place on Saturday, February 3rd. I’ll break down each field and offer my picks for the Southwest Stakes, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Holy Bull Stakes, and Withers Stakes.
These stakes races serve as important early prep races for three-year-olds on their journey to the Kentucky Derby, attracting top-class horses and jockeys. They play a significant role in shaping the field for the Triple Crown races, making them a key event in the racing calendar. The top five finishers for each race are awarded Derby qualifying points (20-10-6-4-2). To see the leaderboard for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Contenders, you can click the following link.
Withers Stakes
The Withers Stakes was first run in 1874, making it one of the oldest stakes races in the United States. The race is named in honor of David Dunham Withers, a prominent 19th-century thoroughbred owner and breeder. The race has traditionally been held at various racetracks over the years, with its most common venue being Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The Withers Stakes has been contested at various distances throughout its history. Since 2019, it has been run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles.
Race Information:
- Track: Aqueduct Racetrack
- Location: Jamaica, New York, United States
- Event Grade: Grade III
- Race: 9
- Post Time: 3:55 PM ET
- Length: 1 1/8 Miles
- Purse: $250,000
- Division: Open | Three Years Old
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta ($1), Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Double ($1) 9 & 10
Previous Winners:
- 2023: Hit Show
- 2022: Early Voting
- 2021: Risk Taking
- 2020: Max Player
- 2019: Tax
Field:
| Post Position | Horse | Morning Line (ML) Odds |
| 1 | Speed Runner | 5-1 |
| 2 | Deposition | 50-1 |
| 3 | Lightline | 8-5 |
| 4 | El Grande O | 5-2 |
| 5 | Seminole Chief | 12-1 |
| 6 | Society Man | 20-1 |
| 7 | Mission Beach | 6-1 |
| 8 | Uncle Heavy | 10-1 |
| 9 | Khanate | 15-1 |
Horse Preview:
| Name: Speed Runner | ML Odds: 5-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Whisper Hill Farm LLC | |||
| Trainer: Todd A Pletcher | |||
| Jockey: Jose Lezcano | |||
| Dam: Speed Succeeds (Gone West) | |||
| Sire: Gun Runner (Candy Ride*Arg) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
In his debut, Speed Runner finished 3rd in a $87,000 Maiden Special Weight run at a distance of 7F. After that, they switched him to dirt and stretched him out in another Maiden Special Weight which he won. In that race, he beat fellow entrant Scoiety Man (3rd). He seemed to handle the distance well and with his speed figures heading in the right direction, he should be a contender. Jose Lezcano will retain the mount who rode Speed Runner in his last race.
| Name: Deposition | ML Odds: 50-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Uriah St Lewis | |||
| Trainer: Uriah St Lewis | |||
| Jockey: Dexter Haddock | |||
| Dam: Mandrell (Dubawi*Ire) | |||
| Sire: Constitution (Tapit) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Deposition has raced six times for far, the second most of out this field of nine. His debut came back in September on a slippery surface. He finished 5th in a Maiden Special Weight Sprint. In his second start, he faced a muddy track where he finished 4th in Rocky Run Stakes which was run a distance of a mile. In November, he raced a total of three times. On the 4th, he finished 6th in a $85,000 Maiden Special Weight. Ten days later, he finished 3rd in a Maiden Special Weight Sprint. Just seven days after that race, he finally broke his maiden in $52,000 Maiden Special Weight at Parx. After that, he took a step up in class and ran 7th in the Heft Stakes. Blinkers on. Dexter Haddock will retain the mount who rode Deposition in his last race.
| Name: Lightline | ML Odds: 8-5 | ||
| Owner(s): Albaugh Family Stables LLC | |||
| Trainer: Brad H Cox | |||
| Jockey: Manuel Franco | |||
| Dam: Upperline (Maria’s Mon) | |||
| Sire: City of Light (Quality Road) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Lightline broke his maiden in his debut winning a $34,000 Maiden Special Weight. He was the favorite in that race and deservedly so as we won by nearly 14 lengths. Following that race, he came in 2nd in a $100,000 Allowance Optional Claiming. In his most recent race, he ran 2nd again in a similar race. Manuel Franco will get his first mount on Lightline.
| Name: El Grande O | ML Odds: 5-2 | ||
| Owner(s): Barry K Schwartz | |||
| Trainer: Linda Rice | |||
| Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche | |||
| Dam: Rainbow’s Song (Unbridled’s Song) | |||
| Sire: Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Aqueduct | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
In his last start, El Grande 0 ran 2nd in the Jerome Stakes despite stumbling at the start. Before that race, he won the Sleepy Hollow Stakes on a muddy surface at a distance of a mile. In his only graded stakes race, the Champagne Stakes (Grade I), he finished 6th. Kendrick Carmouche will retain the mount who rode El Grande O in his last race.
| Name: Seminole Chief | ML Odds: 12-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Brad Grady and David Grund | |||
| Trainer: Jack Sisterson | |||
| Jockey: Trevor McCarthy | |||
| Dam: Secret Song (Dunkirk) | |||
| Sire: Girvin (Tale of Ekati) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Seminole Chief broke his maiden in his debut winning a $28,000 5 1/2 F Maiden Special Weight. In his second race, he was bumped at the start and finished 6th. After that performance, he was stretched out to a 1 1/16 M at the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality Stakes where he won by half a length. Trevor McCarthy will get his first mount on Seminole Chief.
| Name: Society Man | ML Odds: 20-1 | ||
| Owner(s): West Paces Racing LLC | |||
| Trainer: Danny Gargan | |||
| Jockey: Isaac Castillo | |||
| Dam: You Cheated (Colonel John) | |||
| Sire: Good Magic (Curlin) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | M | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | M | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
In his debut, Society Man ran 7th in a $105,000 Maiden Special Weight sprint where he was never really a factor. He was stretched out to a mile and a sixteenth in his second start. Despite being bumped at the start, he managed to run 3rd. Isaac Castillo will get his first mount on Society Man.
| Name: Mission Beach | ML Odds: 6-1 | ||
| Owner(s): SF Racing LLC Starlight Racing Madake | |||
| Trainer: Brittany T Russell | |||
| Jockey: Dylan Davis | |||
| Dam: Stoweshoe (Flatter) | |||
| Sire: Curlin (Smart Strike) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mission Beach broke his maiden in his debut winning a $83,000 6F Maiden Special Weight. After that, he took a step up in class and finished 5th in the Hopeful Stakes (Grade I). In his third race, he ran 4th in the Bob Hope Stakes (Grade III). Following that race, Brittany Russell replaced Bob Baffert as Mission Beach’s trainer. In his most recent race, a $62,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, he won by nearly two lengths. Mission Beach has never raced more than 7F so we’ll see how he handles the increase in distance. Dylan Davis will get his first mount on Mission Beach.
| Name: Uncle Heavy | ML Odds: 10-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Michael Milam | |||
| Trainer: Robert E Reid Jr | |||
| Jockey: Mychel J. Sanchez | |||
| Dam: Expect Wonderful (Tiz Wonderful) | |||
| Sire: Social Inclusion (Pioneerof the Nile) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Uncle Heavy broke his maiden in his debut winning a $66,000 6F Maiden Special Weight. After that race, he ran 5th in the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes after a rough start. In his most recent race, he won the Wait For It Stakes at a distance of one mile and seventy yards. Mychel J. Sanchez will retain the mount on Uncle Heavy.
| Name: Khanate | ML Odds: 15-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Calumet Farm | |||
| Trainer: Todd A Pletcher | |||
| Jockey: Eric Cancel | |||
| Dam: Mongolian Shopper (Any Given Saturday) | |||
| Sire: Hightail (Mineshaft) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aqueduct | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
In his debut, Khanate ran 5th in a $83,000 Maiden Special Weight sprint where he was bumped at the start. He finally broke his maiden in his third race at Keeneland in a $69,000 Maiden Special Weight. After that, he took a step in class and distance finishing 6th in a $100,000 Allowance Optional Claiming race at Churchill. In his most recent race, he finished 3rd in the Jerome Stakes behind fellow entrant El Grande O. Eric Cancel will get his first mount on Khanate.
Horse History Against Fellow Entrants:
- Jerome Stakes
- El Grande O (2nd)
- Khante (3rd)
- Maiden Special Weight (12/08/2023 at Aqueduct)
- Speed Runner (1st)
- Society Man (3rd)
Picks:
- WIN – (4) El Grande O
Live Long Shot – (8) Uncle Heavy
Robert B. Lewis Stakes
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes was inaugurated in 1935 and was originally known as the Santa Catalina Handicap. In 2007, the race was renamed to honor Robert B. Lewis, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder who was actively involved in the horse racing industry. The Robert B. Lewis Stakes is a Grade III race and is typically contested at a distance of 1 1/16 miles. In this event, the first five finishers earn points on a 20-8-6-4-2 basis, contributing to their eligibility for the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
Race Information:
- Track: Santa Anita
- Location: Santa Anita, California, United States
- Event Grade: Grade III
- Race: 5
- Post Time: 5:15 PM ET
- Length: 1 Mile
- Purse: $200,000
- Division: Open | Three Years Old
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Super Hi 5, Double, Pick 3, Pick 6
Previous Winners:
- 2023: Newgate
- 2022: Messier
- 2021: Medina Spirit
- 2020: Thousand Words
- 2019: Mucho Gusto
Field:
| Post Position | Horse | Morning Line (ML) Odds |
| 1 | Wine Me Up | 6-1 |
| 2 | Ace of Clubs | 20-1 |
| 3 | Better Than Gold | 6-1 |
| 4 | Moonlit Sonata | 20-1 |
| 5 | Coach Prime | 5-1 |
| 6 | Nysos | 4-5 |
| 7 | Stronghold | 6-1 |
| 8 | Mc Vay | 20-1 |
| 9 | Scatify | 6-1 |
Horse Preview:
| Name: Wine Me Up | ML Odds: 6-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman | |||
| Trainer: Bob Baffert | |||
| Jockey: Juan Hernandez | |||
| Dam: Deanaallen’skitten (Kitten’s Joy) | |||
| Sire: Vino Rosso (Curlin) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Wine Me Up, won his debut which was a $84,000 Maiden Special Wieght run at 6F. After that, they lengthened I’m out to a mile and sixteenth. In his second race, he finished 2nd in the American Pharoah Stakes (Grade I). Following that race, he struggled in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) finishing 8th. In his most recent race, he ran 4th in the Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade II) behind fellow entrants Stronghold (2nd) and Coach Prime (3rd). Juan Hernandez will retain the mount who rode Wine Me Up in his last race.
| Name: Ace of Clubs | ML Odds: 20-1 | ||
| Owner(s): ERJ Racing, Fritz Brothers Racing, Pappas Horse Racing, and Pablo A. Suarez | |||
| Trainer: Doug O’Neill | |||
| Jockey: Edwin Maldonado | |||
| Dam: Rustic Chic (Orb) | |||
| Sire: Mor Spirit (Eskendereya) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In his debut, Ace of Clubs ran 3rd in a Maiden Claiming at Los Alamitos. After that, he won back-to-back sprints at Del Mar. Following that, he finished 4th in Zuma Beach Stakes (Grade III) and 5th in Qatar Golden Mile Stakes, both run at a distance of a mile. In his most recent race, he placed 5th in the Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade II) finishing behind fellow entrants Stronghold (2nd), Coach Prime (3rd), and Wine Me Up (4th). Edwin Maldonado will retain the mount who rode Ace of Clubs in his last race.
| Name: Better Than Gold | ML Odds: 6-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Columbine Stable LLC | |||
| Trainer: Gary Mandella | |||
| Jockey: Mike Smith | |||
| Dam: Sweet Tess (Afleet Alex) | |||
| Sire: Nyquist (Uncle Mo) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Better Than Gold had a tough debut finishing 8th in a $63,000 Maiden Special Wight sprint. He had a slow start where he was bumped and never really recovered. Fellow entrant Nysos, won that race by over eight lengths. In his most recent race, he won a Maiden Special Weight run at a distance of a mile. Mike Smith will retain the mount who rode Better Than Gold in his last race.
| Name: Moonlit Sonata | ML Odds: 20-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Soma Racing Stables LLC | |||
| Trainer: Tim Yakteen | |||
| Jockey: Geovanni Franco | |||
| Dam: Distorted Champ (Distorted Humor) | |||
| Sire: Malibu Moon (A.P. Indy) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Moonlit Sonata won his debut in a 6 1/2 F sprint at Del Mar. In his last race, he took a step up in class at the San Vicente Stakes (Grade II) where he finished 5th. He has never raced at a distance greater than 7 F so we’ll see how he handles the increase in distance. Geovanni Franco will retain the mount who rode Moonlit Sonata in his first two races.
| Name: Coach Prime | ML Odds: 5-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Zedan Racing Stables Inc | |||
| Trainer: Bob Baffert | |||
| Jockey: Frankie Dettori | |||
| Dam: Act Now (Street Sense) | |||
| Sire: Quality Road (Elusive Quality) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
In his debut, Coach Prime ran 3rd in a $63,000 Maiden Special Weight at Santa Anita. That race isn’t a great representation of this horse as he had a terrible post position and it was on turf. Following that race, he switched surfaces and won a similar race at Del Mar by over seven lengths. In his most recent race, the Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade II), he finished 3rd behind fellow entrant Stronghold (2nd). Frankie Dettori will get his first mount on Coach Prime.
| Name: Nysos | ML Odds: 4-5 | ||
| Owner(s): Baoma Corp | |||
| Trainer: Bob Baffert | |||
| Jockey: Flavien Prat | |||
| Dam: Zetta Z (Bernardini) | |||
| Sire: Nyquist (Uncle Mo) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Nysos has been impressive in his first two races winning both. In his first race, he won a 6F Maiden Special Weight by over ten lengths. More recently, he won the Bob Hope Stakes (Grade III) by nearly nine lengths. He has never raced at a distance greater than 7 F so we’ll see how he handles the increase in distance. Flavien Prat will retain the mount who rode Nysos in his last race.
| Name: Stronghold | ML Odds: 6-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Eric M. Waller and Sharon Waller | |||
| Trainer: Philip D’Amato | |||
| Jockey: Antonio Fresu | |||
| Dam: Spectator (Jimmy Creed) | |||
| Sire: Ghostzapper (Awesome Again) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In his debut, Stronghold finished 2nd in a 6F Maiden Special Weight. After that, he broke his maiden in another Maiden Special Weight run at a distance of a mile. In the Bob Hope Stakes (Grade III), he finished 2nd behind fellow entrant Nysos. Most recently, he finished 2nd again in the Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade II). Antonio Fresu will retain the mount who rode Stronghold in his last two races.
| Name: Mc Vay | ML Odds: 20-1 | ||
| Owner(s): C R K Stable LLC | |||
| Trainer: John Shirreffs | |||
| Jockey: Umberto Rispoli | |||
| Dam: Dothraki Sea (Union Rags) | |||
| Sire: Constitution (Tapit) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | M | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | M | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Mc Vay struggled in his debut finishing 7th in a 6F Maiden Special Weight, a race won by fellow entrant Wine Me Up. In his most recent start, he finished 2nd in another Maiden Special Weight that was a slight step down in class. He has never raced at a distance greater than 6 1/2 F so we’ll see how he handles the increase in distance. However, given his pedigree, it suggests that he’ll handle it well. Umberto Rispoli will get his first mount on Mc Vay.
| Name: Scatify | ML Odds: 6-1 | ||
| Owner(s): West Point Thoroughbreds | |||
| Trainer: John W Sadler | |||
| Jockey: Hector Berrios | |||
| Dam: Broadway Run (Prospective) | |||
| Sire: Justify (Scat Daddy) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Anita | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In his debut and only race, Scatify won a $45,000 Maiden Special Weight sprint. His pedigree is impressive as he’s the son of Triple Crown winner Justify. Hector Berrios will retain the mount who rode Scatify in his last race.
Horse History Against Fellow Entrants:
- Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade II)
- Stronghold (2nd)
- Coach Prim (3rd)
- Wine Me Up (4th)
- Ace of Clubs (5th)
- Bob Hope Stakes (Grade III)
- Nysos (1st)
- Stronghold (2nd)
- Maiden Special Weight (10/21/2023 at Santa Anita)
- Nysos (1st)
- Better than Gold (8th)
- Maiden Special Weight (9/02/2023 at Del Mar)
- Wine Me Up (1st)
- Mc Vay (7th)
Picks:
- WIN – (5) Coach Prime
- EXACTA – 5, 7
Holy Bull
The Holy Bull Stakes was first run in 1990 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Gulfstream Park has been the primary venue for the Holy Bull Stakes since its inception. The race is named in honor of Holy Bull, a highly successful American Thoroughbred racehorse who had a notable career in the 1990s. Holy Bull won multiple Grade I races, including the Travers Stakes and the Woodward Stakes. In this event, the first five finishers earn points on a 20-8-6-4-2 basis, contributing to their eligibility for the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
Race Information:
- Track: Gulfstream Park
- Location: Hallandale Beach, Florida, United States
- Event Grade: Grade III
- Race: 12
- Post Time: 5:48 PM ET
- Length: 1 1/16 Miles
- Purse: $250,000
- Division: Open | Three Years Old
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: $1 Exacta, $.50 Trifecta, $.10 Superfecta, $1 Super Hi 5
Previous Winners:
- 2023: Rocket Can
- 2022: White Abarrio
- 2021: Greatest Honor
- 2020: Tiz the Law
- 2019: Harvey Wallbanger
Field:
| Post Position | Horse | Morning Line (ML) Odds |
| 1 | Hades | 6-1 |
| 2 | Inveigled | 12-1 |
| 3 | Otello | 9-2 |
| 4 | Dancing Groom | 30-1 |
| 5 | No More Time | 12-1 |
| 6 | Domestic Product | 8-1 |
| 7 | Fierceness | 3-5 |
| 8 | Sea Streak | 20-1 |
Horse Preview:
| Name: Hades | ML Odds: 6-1 | ||
| Owner(s): D J Stable LLC and Robert Cotran | |||
| Trainer: Joseph Orseno | |||
| Jockey: Paco Lopez | |||
| Dam: The Shady Lady (Quality Road) | |||
| Sire: Awesome Slew (Awesome Again) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Gulfstream | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Hades has won both of the two starts he’s made. In his first start, he won a $50,000 Madien Optional Claiming race at Gulfstream despite being bumped at the start. Less than a month later, he raced again at Gulfstream Park winning a $54,000 Allowance by eight lengths. His most recent race was run at 7F and before that, he ran at 5 1/2F so we’ll see how he handles the increase in distance. Paco Lopez will retain the mount who’s ridden him in his first two races.
| Name: Inveigled | ML Odds: 12-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Mark B Grier | |||
| Trainer: Jane Cibelli | |||
| Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. | |||
| Dam: Kitty Quality (Quality Road) | |||
| Sire: Enticed (Medaglia d’Oro) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Gulfstream | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Inveigled broke his maiden in his second race which was a $52,000 Maiden Special Wight at Laurel Park run at a distance of 5 1/2F. In his third race, he ran 2nd in the James F. Lewis III Stakes. Following that race, they stretched him out to a mile in an Allowance Optional Claiming race at Gulfstream where he won by nearly five lengths. In that race, he beat fellow entrant Sea Streak who finished 2nd. Earlier this month, he ran in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, again at a mile, and finished 4th behind Otello (1st) and Sea Streak (3rd). Irad Ortiz Jr. will retain the mount who’s ridden him in the last two races.
| Name: Otello | ML Odds: 9-2 | ||
| Owner(s): WinStar Farm LLC and Siena Farm LLC | |||
| Trainer: Christophe Clement | |||
| Jockey: Luis Saez | |||
| Dam: Isabella Sings (Eskendereya) | |||
| Sire: Curlin (Smart Strike) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Gulfstream | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Otello has won both of the two starts he’s made. In his first start, he won a Maiden Special Weight at Aqueduct run at a distance of a mile. Less than a month later, he raced at Gulfstream Park, winning the Mucho Macho Man Stakes beating fellow entrants Sea Streak, Inveigled, and No More Time. Luis Saez will retain the mount who rode Otello in his last race.
| Name: Dancing Groom | ML Odds: 30-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Alex Andres LLC | |||
| Trainer: Antonio Sano | |||
| Jockey: Junior Alvarado | |||
| Dam: Snow Dancer (Bernardini) | |||
| Sire: Vino Rosso (Curlin) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Gulfstream | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dancing Groom broke his maiden in his second race which was a $105,000 Maiden Special Wight at Saratoga run at a distance of a mile. Following that race, he finished 3rd in the Champagne Stakes (Grade I) finishing ahead of fellow entrant Fierceness (7th). In his most recent race, which was on November 25th, he ran 6th in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (Grade II). After that race, he moved to Gulfstream to train. Blinkers on. Junior Alvarado will get his first mount on Dancing Groom.
| Name: No More Time | ML Odds: 12-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Morplay Racing | |||
| Trainer: Jose F D’Angelo | |||
| Jockey: Jose Ortiz | |||
| Dam: Baroness Juliette (Speightstown) | |||
| Sire: Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Gulfstream | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
No More Time ran 2nd in his first start which was a Maiden Special Weight at Gulfstream run at a distance of 5 1/2 F. They bumped him up to a mile in his second race, where he won by more than six lengths. Earlier this month, he ran in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes where he finished 5th behind fellow entrants Otello, Sea Streak, and Inveigled. Jose Ortiz will retain the mount who rode No More Time in his last race.
| Name: Domestic Product | ML Odds: 8-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Klaravich Stables Inc | |||
| Trainer: Chad C Brown | |||
| Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione | |||
| Dam: Goods and Services (Paynter) | |||
| Sire: Practical Joke (Into Mischief) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Gulfstream | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Domestic Product ran 5th in his debut which was a $105,000 Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga run at a distance of 6 F. They bumped him up to a mile and an eighth in his second race, where he won by more than four lengths. Most recently, he ran in the Remsen Stakes (Grade II) when he ran 7th on a muddy track. Blinkers come off. Tyler Gaffalione will get his first mount on Domestic Product.
| Name: Fierceness | ML Odds: 3-5 | ||
| Owner(s): Repole Stable | |||
| Trainer: Todd A Pletcher | |||
| Jockey: John Velazquez | |||
| Dam: Nonna Bella (Stay Thirsty) | |||
| Sire: City of Light (Quality Road) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Gulfstream | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fierceness broke his maiden in his first race winning a $105,000 Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga by over eleven lengths! In his second start, he ran 7th in the Champagne Stakes (Grade I) after a bad start. Following that race, he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) by over six lengths. In that race, he posted an impressive speed figure which no other entrant comes close to. John Velazquez will retain the mount who rode Fierceness in his last race.
| Name: Sea Streak | ML Odds: 20-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Holly Crest Farm | |||
| Trainer: Eddie Owens Jr. | |||
| Jockey: Luca Panici | |||
| Dam: High Noon Nellie (Silver Deputy) | |||
| Sire: Sea Wizard (Uncle Mo) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Gulfstream | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
In his debut, Sea Streak ran 2nd in the Smoke Glacken Stakes at Monmouth Park. After that race, he broke his maiden in a 6F Maiden Special Weight. In his third race, an Allowance Optional Claiming, run a distance of a mile, he finished 2nd to fellow entrant Inveigled. Most recently he ran in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes which Otello won. Luca Panici will retain the mount who rode Sea Streak in his last race.
Horse History Against Fellow Entrants:
- Champagne Stakes (Grade I)
- Dancing Groom (3rd)
- Fierceness (7th)
- Mucho Macho Man Stakes
- Otello (1st)
- Sea Streak (3rd)
- Inveigled (4th)
- No More Time (5th)
- Allowance Optional Claiming (12/9/23 at Gulfstream)
- Inveigled (1st)
- Sea Streak (2nd)
Picks:
- WIN – (7) Fierceness
- EXACTA – 7/ 4, 6, 8
Southwest Stakes
Established in 1968, the Southwest Stakes has evolved into a crucial component of Oaklawn Park’s lineup of preparatory races leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Positioned as the second of the four Oaklawn preps, it holds significance as a part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series. In this event, the first five finishers earn points on a 20-8-6-4-2 basis, contributing to their eligibility for the prestigious Kentucky Derby. The race attained grade-three status in 2008, underlining its growing prominence in the world of horse racing.
Race Information:
- Track: Oaklawn Park
- Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States
- Event Grade: Grade III
- Race: 11
- Post Time: 5:50 PM ET
- Length: 1 1/16 Miles
- Purse: $800,000
- Division: Open | Three Years Old
- Surface: Dirt
- Wagers: Daily Double, Exacta, 50 Cent Trifecta, 10 Cent Superfecta
Previous Winners:
- 2023: Arabian Knight
- 2022: Newgrange
- 2021: Essential Quality
- 2020: Silver Prospector
- 2019: Super Steed
Field:
| Post Position | Horse | Morning Line (ML) Odds |
| 1 | Maycocks Bay | 3-1 |
| 2 | Charleston | 30-1 |
| 3 | Magic Grant | 30-1 |
| 4 | Otto the Conqueror | 5-1 |
| 5 | Wynstock | 4-1 |
| 6 | Liberal Arts | 8-1 |
| 7 | Carbone | 9-2 |
| 8 | Common Defense | 15-1 |
| 9 | Linebacker | 30-1 |
| 10 | Mystik Dan | 12-1 |
| 11 | Just Steel | 8-1 |
| 12 | Awesome Road | 8-1 |
Horse Preview:
| Name: Maycocks Bay | ML Odds: 3-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Godolphin LLC | |||
| Trainer: Michael Stidham | |||
| Jockey: Francisco Arrieta | |||
| Dam: Hallie Belle (Medaglia d’Oro) | |||
| Sire: Speightstown (Gone West) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name: Charleston | ML Odds: 30-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Brinley Enterprises LLC | |||
| Trainer: William H Fires | |||
| Jockey: Harry Hernandez | |||
| Dam: Stirring (Seeking the Gold) | |||
| Sire: Tapiture (Tapit) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | M | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | M | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | M | 1 | 1 |
| Oaklawn Park | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Name: Magic Grant | ML Odds: 30-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Willis Horton Racing LLC | |||
| Trainer: Eddie Milligan Jr. | |||
| Jockey: Chris Landeros | |||
| Dam: Holiday Bertie (Harlan’s Holiday) | |||
| Sire: Good Magic (Curlin) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name: Otto the Conqueror | ML Odds: 5-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Three Chimneys Farm LLC | |||
| Trainer: Steven M Asmussen | |||
| Jockey: Joel Rosario | |||
| Dam: Dream It Is (Shackleford) | |||
| Sire: Street Sense (Street Cry*Ire) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name: Wynstock | ML Odds: 4-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Edward C Allred and Jack Liebau | |||
| Trainer: Bob Baffert | |||
| Jockey: Kyle Frey | |||
| Dam: Timberlea (Flatter) | |||
| Sire: Solomini (Curlin) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name: Liberal Arts | ML Odds: 8-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Evan Ferraro and Stephen Ferraro | |||
| Trainer: Robert Medina | |||
| Jockey: Cristian Torres | |||
| Dam: Ismene (Tribal Rule) | |||
| Sire: Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name: Carbone | ML Odds: 9-2 | ||
| Owner(s): L. William Heiligbrodt, Corinne Heiligbrodt, and Flurry Racing Stables | |||
| Trainer: Steven M Asmussen | |||
| Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. | |||
| Dam: Treasure in Heaven (Street Sense) | |||
| Sire: Mitole (Eskendereya) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Name: Common Defense | ML Odds: 15-1 | ||
| Owner(s): D. A. Bernsen, T. Holmes, M. Holmes, and Norevale Farm | |||
| Trainer: Kenneth G McPeek | |||
| Jockey: Julien Leparoux | |||
| Dam: Allusion (Street Cry*Ire) | |||
| Sire: Karakontie*Jpn (Bernstein) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | M | 1 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Name: Linebacker | ML Odds: 30-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Novogratz Racing Stables Inc | |||
| Trainer: Jordan Blair | |||
| Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel | |||
| Dam: Jinny Jump Up (Jump Start) | |||
| Sire: Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | M | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 | M | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Name: Mystik Dan | ML Odds: 12-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, and Daniel Hamby III | |||
| Trainer: Kenneth G McPeek | |||
| Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr | |||
| Dam: Ma’am (Colonel John) | |||
| Sire: Goldencents (Into Mischief) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Name: Just Steel | ML Odds: 8-1 | ||
| Owner(s): BC Stables LLC | |||
| Trainer: D Wayne Lukas | |||
| Jockey: Ramon Vazquez | |||
| Dam: Irish Lights*Aus (Fastnet Rock*Aus) | |||
| Sire: Justify (Scat Daddy) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Oaklawn Park | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Name: Awesome Road | ML Odds: 8-1 | ||
| Owner(s): Albaugh Family Stables LLC & Donegal Racing | |||
| Trainer: Brad H Cox | |||
| Jockey: Florent Geroux | |||
| Dam: Orate (A.P. Indy) | |||
| Sire: Quality Road (Elusive Quality) | |||
| Starts | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Life | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | M | 0 | 0 |
| Oaklawn Park | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Picks:
- WIN – (5) Wynstock
- EXACTA – 5/ 6, 11, 12
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.
