The Arkansas Street to the 2025 Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve continues with the Southwest Stakes and provides 3-year-olds one million causes to chase their Triple Crown desires — similar to Mystik Dan did final 12 months when he gained the Southwest en path to his run for the roses triumph. Except for the $1 million purse, the Oaklawn Park stakes may even present 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying factors to the highest 5 finishers.
1. Gaming (2-1 morning-line odds): Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert is again within the Kentucky Derby hunt and he has a high contender on this son of Sport Winner. He was a disappointing third as a heavy favourite within the Los Alamitos Futurity however was a sport second earlier than that within the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Offered by TAA. A pointy current exercise builds confidence within the notion Baffert shipped him right here as a result of he expects an improved effort.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
2. Writer (12-1): Nonetheless a maiden, however ran an enormous velocity determine whereas second within the mud on this observe. Give him an in depth look if it rains.
JOCKEY: Erik Asmussen; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
3. Monet’s Magic (15-1): Has back-to-back wins on the maiden/allowance degree however might want to take a step ahead to be a predominant menace on this subject.
JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Ben Colebrook
4. Tiztastic (10-1): Closed 2024 with a pleasant third within the Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes. Has put in some strong exercises for his 3-year-old debut and deserves main consideration.
JOCKEY: Keith Asmussen; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
5. Render Judgment (15-1): Was a distant third within the Gun Runner Stakes at Honest Grounds. Provides blinkers and that might assist his trigger.
JOCKEY: Emmanuel Esquivel; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
Sandman earlier than the 2024 Iroquois Stakes. (Eclipse Sportswire)
6. Sandman (5-1): Seemed good in ultimate begin as a 2-year-old, successful an Oaklawn allowance race in strong time. Must be closing late and can welcome a quick tempo.
JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Mark Casse
7. Patch Adams (5-2): One other proficient 3-year-old making his stakes debut for coach Brad Cox. Comes off a lopsided maiden win at Churchill Downs in November in very quick time. Will get Flavien Prat within the saddle, so you recognize the connections imply enterprise.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
8. American Promise (8-1): One other coming off a giant win within the mud. Rain positively would assist this maiden winner’s probabilities.
JOCKEY: Tyler Bacon; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
9. Bon Temps (30-1): He’s nonetheless a maiden after three tries and, although he was fourth within the Smarty Jones Stakes, he’s a legit longshot right here.
JOCKEY: Nik Juarez; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
10. Velocity King (15-1): Has a excessive cruising velocity which can assist to beat the surface put up. Was second within the Remington Springboard Mile in simply his second begin and appears to have a vivid future forward of him.
JOCKEY: Rafael Bejarano; TRAINER: Ron Moquett
THE PICK: Gaming
LIVE LONGSHOT: Velocity King
SUPERFECTA: 1-7-6-10
