Horse racing news and analysis from Saratoga, Santa Anita and the 2023 Breeders' Cup.

Southwest Stakes 2023 Odds, Analysis, Free PPs

Oaklawn Park Feature Race of the Day Photo: TheFreePPs.com

Free Southwest Stakes past performances for Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Oaklawn Park

The field for the Southwest Stakes (G3) $750,000 will go as the 10th race on a big weekend for horse racing fans in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Baffert goes for his sixth win in the Southwest Stakes

The field of 9 is headed by the Arabian Knight, a last-out winner in his only start at Keeneland in November.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Arabian Knight races in the colors of Zedan Racing Stables, Inc., he’s the son of Uncle Mo out of the Astrology mare Borealis Night who raced only once. Astrology, for his part, won the G3 Iroquois in 2010 as a two-year-old. And was 3rd behind Shackleford in the 2011 Preakness.

The Southwest is on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and offers qualifying points to the top five finishers in a 20-8-6-4-2 distribution order.

There’s an 80% chance of afternoon rains is in the forecast for Hot Springs on Saturday.

Post time is set for 5:57 PM

The Official Field for the 1 1/16 miles Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park

PP Horse Trainer Odds
1 Sun Thunder McPeek 10/1
One of a pair to be saddled by McPeek. He was the even money favorite LTO in his second lifetime start going 1 mile here and rewarded his backers with a six length margin of victory. Tied with stablemate Frosted Departure to record a best of 92 bullet workout going 4f in :47.3 on 1/21/23. Son of Into Mischief may not win but he won’t be embarrassed.
2 Corona Bolt Cox 6/1
One of a trio entered by Cox. Won a 6 1/2 furlong MSW at Churchill and followed with an impressive performance cutting back in the Sugar Bowl to make it two in a row. Expect a fast start and a pace pressing performance to keep Arabian Knight honest on the lead. Could upset.
3 Jace’s Road Cox 4/1
Gotta believe Geroux had first call on this guy but a bigger prize awaits team Cox with Cyberknife at Gulfstream in the Pegasus. A last out winner at Fair Grounds in the Gun Runner, he was wrapped up late to cruise home. Talamo rode him to a six length victory at first asking in a MSW at Ellis and will get the leg up again on Saturday.
4 Western Ghent Lukas 20/1
Always been a fan of Lukas who is still able to notch wins at this late stage of his career. This guy has been double digits in all 9 of his starts. Won a maiden claiming race for $75K by a head at Saratoga last summer. He’s had a different jockey in his first 8 races but Lukas will give the leg up to Torres who rode him last time out here in the Smarty Jones. Son of American Pharoah. Would be a shocker.
5 Frosted Departure McPeek 15/1
Three time winner including a last out gamely win by a head sprinting here against five others. His 95 speed figure and a best of 92 bullet 4f workout here a couple of weeks ago makes him a early close up candidate. But his two graded stakes tries going two turns proved to be too much. Overmatched.
6 Arabian Knight Baffert 1/1
Is he even money because he’s worth every penny in here? Or because he’ll be sent out by Baffert in search of a record-setting sixth victory in this Kentucky Derby prep race. But an on-the-board finish won’t earn him any of the qualifying points available to the first five finishers because Baffert, for the time being, is ineligible to enter any horses in the Derby. Like that his seven length margin of victory in his only start last November came over the Keeneland surface, instead of on the SoCal circuit where nearly 100% of Baffert’s young horses get their starts. Hard to deny his 104 BRIS speed figure but he will have company from Corona Bolt.
7 Red Route One Asmussen 10/1
Lone win at 1 mile on Kentucky Downs turf. 3rd behind Forte in the Breeders’ Futurity. Lacked room LTO in the KYJC to finish 4th behind Instant Coffee who returned to take his second Derby prep race in the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. Current deep closing style could become beneficial down the trail but most recent efforts are lacking in the speed ratings column.
8 Hit Show Cox 10/1
One of three to be saddled by Cox. Has the benefit of a win over the track in his last start with Talamo who opts for Jace’s Road. Won at first asking three back in a $100K MSW at Keeneland. Expect a nice showing.
9 El Tomate Silva 30/1
Will walk into the gate widest of all off a nice maiden race win going 7/8s at Remington. Hard to win right back, especially at this level.