Southwest Stakes 2020 Odds, Analysis, Free PPs

By WIZCAPPER
Updated: February 16, 2020

Free Southwest Stakes past performances for President’s Day Monday, February 17, 2020 at Oaklawn Park

The field for the Southwest Stakes (G3) $750,000 will go as the 9th race to close out a big weekend for horse racing fans on Presidents’ Day in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The full field of 9 is headed by the Smarty Jones winner Gold Street who will be racing towards the top cash prize in the graded stakes event for three-year-old hopefuls on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on May 2. In addition to the purse money, the Southwest will award points to the top four finishers in a 10-4-2-1 distribution. And comes on the heels of a big Saturday of racing further south in New Orleans where the Fair Grounds held split division runnings of the Risen Star Stakes and awarded 50 points to each of the winners. And a combined total of $800,000 in purse money.

Early morning rain in the forecast for Hot Springs on Monday are expected to break around the noon time hour but may effect track conditions for the 5:43 PM post time race.

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

PP	Horse	Trainer	Odds
1	Wells Bayou	Cox	8/1
Gets the rail draw again for what will be his second trip around the Oaklawn oval where he took a 1 miler in the mud by 4 over stablemate Something Natural who returned in a winning effort at Oaklawn on Saturday. BIG SHOT!
2	Silver Prospector	Asmussen	9/2
Well beaten Smarty Jones participant in last, was first across the wire in the KYJC two back. His one-run style played well at this distance when beating the one-eyed runner Finnick the Fierce who returned in defeat in Division II of the Risen Star.
3	Shoplifted	Asmussen	8/1
Loved him to win the Springboard Mile at Remington. But he narrowly escaped with a win that night over Answer In. And his Smarty Jones shot to prove he belongs on the Derby trail yielded a third place finish LTO making him less than appealing in here.
4	Gold Street	Asmussen	6/1
Comes in as the Smarty Jones winner on a three race roll and seeking his fourth in a row. All three were on a muddy track, which no doubt carried him. Interesting that Asmussen’s go-to-guy opted to give KYJC winner Silver Prospector the nod over this guy who had back to back sprint winning efforts by big margins in prior two. Garcia back aboard to try and take them wire-to-wire with Wells Bayou to contend with for first across the wire. CHOICE.
5	American Butterfly	Lukas	15/1
The Coach is back with this son of TC winner American Pharoah who’s 1 for 7 lifetime and appears to be overmatched.
6	Chase Tracker	Pletcher	7/2
Maiden winner at Parx at first asking. Third in the G3 Nashua behind Independence Hall. And in the G2 Remsen he followed Shotski home to complete the trifecta. Everyone is still looking for their Derby horse and Pletcher calls on Johnny V. for this cutback in distance. But tend to think he needs more ground not less. Shotski exited the Remsen as the runner up two weeks ago in the Withers. Give him this one as a warm up for next outing.
7	Villainous	Englehart	15/1
Raced once in ’19 at Aqueduct to start career. And opened ’20 like a thief stealing away to win a 1 1/6 miles MSW here. Connections are strong but it’s tough to win first time out against winners. But good to see trainer willing to give him a try on the trail. SPOILER ALERT.
8	Taishan	Baltas	5/1
Exits the G3 Sham as the superfecta finisher. Azul Coast was runner up that day, and returned to take the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate for Baffert on Saturday. 5-1 seems like an underlay here despite all that.
9	Answer In	Cox	3/1
Cox has the top and bottom runners in here. And Castellano returns after a narrow loss and troubled trip in the Springboard behind Shoplifted. Son of Dialed In should appreciate the extra distance but keep in mind that Shoplifted failed to improve in the Smarty Jones, off the Springboard victory. CAUTION.