The Southwest Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt run annually in late January at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The event currently offers a purse of $800,000.

Southwest Stakes
Grade III race
LocationOaklawn Park Race Track
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Inaugurated1968 (as Southwest Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteOaklawn Jockey Club
Race information
Distance1+116 mile
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
Weight122 lbs with allowances
Purse$800,000 (since 2024)
BonusesQualifications points –
Road to the Kentucky Derby

History

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The inaugural running of the event was on 2 March 1968 as the Southwest Handicap over a distance of six furlongs and was won by Robert E. Lehmann's Mr. Crozy by 2+12 lengths in a fast time on 1:1025.[1]

Oaklawn Park acknowledges that prior to 1968 there existed an event known as the Southwest Purse, however these events are not considered in the official counts of the renewal of this event.[2][3] The event that was run on 24 March 1959 was a claiming event for four-year-olds and older[4] while the event run on 17 February 1962 was held on opening day of the race meet and over a distance of 5+12 furlongs for three year olds.[5]

The Southwest Handicap was increased to one mile in 1983.[2]

The conditions of the event were changed from a handicap to a stakes race with allowances in 1985 with a rename of the race to Southwest Stakes.[2] Originally ungraded, the Southwest Stakes was upgraded to a Grade III event in 2008 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.[6]

The distance was increased to 1+116 miles in 2013.[6]

The event has been held in split divisions in 1972, 2002, and 2012.[7]

The 1984 winner Whitebrush set a new track record for the mile distance which still stands at Oaklawn Park.[3]

The race is often used as a prep to the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby, and is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Among the horses who have used the Southwest as a springboard to the Triple Crown series are Lil E. Tee (won 1992 Kentucky Derby after finishing third in the 1992 Southwest), Pine Bluff (won Preakness after being second in the 1992 Southwest) and Smarty Jones (won the Southwest, Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2004).[8]

Since 2013 the event has been part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.[8]

For many years the event was usually held during the President's Day weekend but was moved to late January after Oaklawn Park introduced a new schedule of their expanded program for the 2021–22 racing season.[6]

In 2024, the race was moved back one week from January 27 to February 3 due to weather.[9]

Records

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Speed record:

  • 1+116 miles – 1:41.83 One Liner (2017)
  • 1 mile – 1:34.40 Whitebrush (1984) Track Record
  • 6 furlongs – 1:10.40 Mr. Crozy (1968)

Margins:

  • 12 lengths – Tarascon (1990)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

  • 6 - Bob Baffert (2010, 2012 - both divisions, 2013, 2022, 2023)

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

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Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Southwest Stakes
2024 Mystik Dan Emmanuel Esquivel Juan Sanchez J. Patrick Lee Racing 1+116 miles 1:45.04 $800,000 III [10]
2023 Arabian Knight John R. Velazquez Bob Baffert Zedan Racing Stables 1+116 miles 1:43.50 $750.000 III [11]
2022 Newgrange John R. Velazquez Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable & Siena Farm 1+116 miles 1:45.83 $750,000 III [12]
2021 Essential Quality Luis Saez Brad H. Cox Godolphin Racing 1+116 miles 1:45.48 $750,000 III [13]
2020 Silver Prospector Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Ed & Susie Orr 1+116 miles 1:43.01 $750,000 III [14]
2019 Super Steed Terry J. Thompson J. Larry Jones Michael Pressley & Steed Jackson 1+116 miles 1:44.05 $500,000 III [15]
2018 My Boy Jack Kent J. Desormeaux J. Keith Desormeaux Don't Tell My Wife Stables & Monomoy Stables 1+116 miles 1:46.00 $500,000 III [16]
2017 One Liner John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International & SF Racing 1+116 miles 1:41.83 $500,000 III [17]
2016 Suddenbreakingnews Luis S. Quinonez Donnie K. Von Hemel Samuel F. Henderson 1+116 miles 1:45.14 $500,000 III [18]
2015 Far Right Mike E. Smith Ron Moquett Robert V. LaPenta & Harry T. Rosenblum 1+116 miles 1:47.50 $300,000 III [19]
2014 Tapiture Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds 1+116 miles 1:44.95 $300,000 III [20]
2013 Super Ninety Nine Rafael Bejarano Bob Baffert Tanma Corporation 1+116 miles 1:44.84 $300,000 III [21]
2012 Castaway Rafael Bejarano Bob Baffert Willmott Stables 1 mile 1:37.08 $250,000 III Division 1[22]
Secret Circle Rafael Bejarano Bob Baffert Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor 1:38.09 $250,000 Division 2[23]
2011 Archarcharch Jon Court William H. Fires Robert Yagos 1 mile 1:38.23 $250,000 III [24]
2010 Conveyance Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Zabeel Racing International 1 mile 1:36.94 $250,000 III [25]
2009 Old Fashioned Ramon A. Dominguez J. Larry Jones Fox Hill Farms 1 mile 1:37.41 $250,000 III [26]
2008 Denis of Cork Robby Albarado David M. Carroll Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. 1 mile 1:37.89 $250,000 III [27]
2007 Teuflesberg Stewart Elliott Jamie Sanders Gary S. Logsdon, Jamie Sanders & Donnie Kelly 1 mile 1:38.20 $250,000 Listed [28]
2006 Lawyer Ron John McKee Robert E. Holthus Estate James T. Hines, Jr. 1 mile 1:40.00 $250,000 Listed [29]
2005 Greater Good John McKee Robert E. Holthus Lewis G. Lakin 1 mile 1:39.09 $100,000 Listed [30]
2004 Smarty Jones Stewart Elliott John C. Servis Someday Farm 1 mile 1:37.57 $100,000 Listed [31]
2003 Great Notion Terry J. Thompson Darrin Miller Silverton Hill 1 mile 1:38.96 $75,000 Listed [32]
2002 Private Emblem Donnie Meche Steven M. Asmussen James Cassels & Bob Zollars 1 mile 1:41.70 $75,000 Listed Division 1[33]
Paloma Parilla James Lopez Larry Robideaux Jr. Barnett Stables 1:40.29 $75,000 Division 2[34]
2001 Son of Rocket Terry J. Thompson Robert E. Holthus Frank Fletcher Racing 1 mile 1:38.34 $75,000 Listed [35]
2000 Afternoon Affair Joseph C. Judice Robert E. Holthus Swifty Farms 1 mile 1:37.18 $75,000 Listed [36]
1999 Jim'smrtee Travis Wayne Hightower John Milliron James M. Hutzel 1 mile 1:39.52 $75,000 III [37]
1998 Hot Wells Calvin H. Borel Thomas M. Amoss So What's Nu Stable 1 mile 1:38.69 $75,000 III [38]
1997 Smoke Glacken Craig Perret Henry L. Carroll Alex Karkenny, Robert Levy & William Roberts 1 mile 1:38.73 $100,000 III [39]
1996 Ide Craig Perret Peter M. Vestal Willmott Stables 1 mile 1:37.81 $100,000 III [40]
1995 Mystery Storm Carlos Gonzalez Larry Robideaux Jr. David Beard 1 mile 1:36.63 $100,000 III [41]
1994 Southern Rhythm Garrett K. Gomez James O. Keefer L. William Heiligbrodt, Ted Keefer & Walter New 1 mile 1:36.95 $100,000 Listed [42]
1993 Foxtrail Willie Martinez Larry Robideaux Jr. Linda Bennett 1 mile 1:36.51 $100,000 Listed [43]
1992 Big Sur David Guillory D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 1 mile 1:36.68 $100,000 Listed [44]
1991 Fenter Donald Lee Howard Thomas K. Bohannan Loblolly Stable 1 mile 1:37.06 $75,000 Listed [45]
1990 Tarascon Larry Snyder Jack Van Berg John A. Franks 1 mile 1:35.80 $58,400 [46]
1989 Termez Dean Kutz J. Bert Sonnier Kip Knelman & Steve Hayden 1 mile 1:37.80 $63,000 [47]
1988 Proper Reality Jerry D. Bailey Robert E. Holthus James A. Winn 1 mile 1:36.80 $60,700 [48]
1987 Demons Begone Pat Day Philip M. Hauswald Loblolly Stable 1 mile 1:34.60 $59,900 [49]
1986 Rare Brick Mike E. Smith A. J. Foyt III A. J. Foyt 1 mile 1:36.20 $66,400 [50]
1985 Clever Allemont Pat Day Lynn S. Whiting W. Cal Partee 1 mile 1:37.60 $62,300 [51]
Southwest Handicap
1984 Whitebrush Garth Patterson Claude R. McGaughey III Loblolly Stable 1 mile 1:34.40 $50,000 [52]
1983 Say I'm Smart Larry Snyder David R. Vance Flying Zee Stable 6 furlongs 1:11.80 $50,000 [53]
1982 El Baba Donald Brumfield Dewey P. Smith Mrs. Joe W. Brown 6 furlongs 1:12.60 $50,000 [54]
1981 Bold Ego John Lively Dennis Werre Double B Ranch 6 furlongs 1:11.80 $50,000 [55]
1980 Be A Prospect Herb McCauley Barr H. Inman Carl W. Swan 6 furlongs 1:12.00 $50,000 [56]
1979 Clever Trick Larry Snyder Del W. Carroll William S. Farish III 6 furlongs 1:11.20 $50,000 [57]
1978 Bold L. B. John Lively Dennis Werre Dazoc Stable 6 furlongs 1:11.00 $50,000 [58]
1977 J. J. Battle Carlos Rivas W. R. Charlie Morse Jay Chestnut 6 furlongs 1:12.80 $25,000 [59]
1976 Our Future King James McKnight Kenneth Burkhart Attica Farm 6 furlongs 1:10.60 $25,000 [60]
1975 Promised City David E. Whited Larry R. Spraker Big 1 Farm 6 furlongs 1:11.00 $25,000 [61]
1974 § J. R.'s Pet Darrel G. McHargue Harold Tinker W. Cal Partee 6 furlongs 1:11.20 $25,000 [62]
1973 § Game Lad Louis Spindler David R. Vance Dan Lasater 6 furlongs 1:10.60 $30,000 [63]
1972 Parlez Encore Lonnie Ray James L. Levitch Dr. C. R. Jarrell 6 furlongs 1:13.20 $20,000 Division 1[64]
Billy Rogell Earl Knapp Larry L. Fontenot Perle L. & Charles R. Grissom 1:12.20 $20,000 Division 2[65]
1971 Barbizon Streak Arturo Romero Oran Battles Mrs. Herman J. Udouj 6 furlongs 1:10.80 $20,000 [66]
1970 Love That Dollar Ronald J. Campbell D. Scott Posey Everett Lowrance 6 furlongs 1:12.60 $15,000 [67]
1969 Ruler in Gold Phil Grimm Ronnie G. Warren Mr. & Mrs. R. F. Roberts 6 furlongs 1:11.60 $15,000 [68]
1968 Mr. Crozy Lonnie Ray Douglas Davis Jr. Robert E. Lehmann 6 furlongs 1:10.40 $12,500 [1]
Southwest Purse
1962 Killoqua Kenward Bernis W. Tomlinson John D. Askew 5+12 furlongs 1:05.20 $3,200 [5]
1960–1961 Race not held
1959 † Call Hy Eugene Curry W. Dorsey M-S Stable 6 furlongs 1:11.20 $2,500 [4]

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† The running of the event on 24 March 1959 was a claiming event for four-year-olds and older. The winner Call Hy was a five year old.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Mr. Crozy Top Winner At Oaklawn – (race 8: held 2 March 1968)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 3 March 1968. p. 40. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "SOUTHWEST STAKES - OAKLAWN PARK, AR". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Southwest" (PDF). Oaklawn Park Media Guide 2020. Oaklawn Park. 2020. pp. 34, 70. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Oaklawn Results – (race 7: held 24 March 1959)". Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press. 25 March 1959. p. 25. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Oaklawn Results – (race 6: held 17 February 1962)". Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press. 18 February 1962. p. 40. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Stakes profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  7. ^ "SOUTHWEST STAKES (2ND. DIV.) - OAKLAWN PARK, AR". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Southwest at Oaklawn Park, February 17, 2020 | 10–4–2–1 Road to the Kentucky Derby Points". www.kentuckyderby.com. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Oaklawn adjusts stakes schedule; Southwest moved to Feb. 3". DRF. January 18, 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  10. ^ "2024 Southwest Stakes Stakes Grade 3 (race 12)". Equibase. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  11. ^ "2023 Southwest Stakes - Grade 3 (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  12. ^ "2022 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  13. ^ "2021 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  14. ^ "2020 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  15. ^ "2019 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  16. ^ "2018 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  17. ^ "2017 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  18. ^ "2016 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  19. ^ "2015 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  20. ^ "2014 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  21. ^ "2013 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  22. ^ "2012 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 Division 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  23. ^ "2012 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 Division 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  24. ^ "2011 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  25. ^ "2010 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  26. ^ "2009 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  27. ^ "2008 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  28. ^ "2007 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  29. ^ "2006 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 February 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  30. ^ "2005 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  31. ^ "2004 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 February 2004. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  32. ^ "2003 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 1 March 2003. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  33. ^ "2002 (Mar) Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 March 2002. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  34. ^ "2002 (Mar) Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 March 2002. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  35. ^ "2001 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 March 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  36. ^ "2000 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 4 March 2000. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  37. ^ "1999 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 February 1999. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  38. ^ "1998 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 28 February 1998. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  39. ^ "1997 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 March 1997. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  40. ^ "1996 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 March 1996. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  41. ^ "1995 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 March 1995. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  42. ^ "1994 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 March 1994. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  43. ^ "1993 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 6 March 1993. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  44. ^ "1992 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 March 1992. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  45. ^ "1991 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 9 March 1991. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  46. ^ "Tarascon wins Southwest by 12 as Adjudicating finishes third – (race 9: held 10 March 1990)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 11 March 1990. p. 30. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Termez wins Southwest Stakes – (race 10: held 11 March 1989)". The Baltimore Sun. The Associated Press. 12 March 1989. p. 52. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  48. ^ "Proper Reality triumphs – (race 9: held 5 March 1988)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 6 March 1988. p. 37. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  49. ^ "Proper Reality triumphs – (race 9: held 6 March 1987)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 8 March 1987. p. 43. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  50. ^ "Rare Brick romps by 11, earns Derby nomination – (race 9: held 8 March 1986)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 9 March 1986. p. 54. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  51. ^ Bernos, Mike (10 March 1985). "Clever Allemont wins at Oaklawn – (race 9: held 9 March 1985)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. p. 61. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  52. ^ "Oaklawn feature – (race 9: held 10 March 1984)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 11 March 1984. p. 10. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  53. ^ "At Oaklawn Park – (race 9: held 5 March 1983)". Dayton Daily News. The Associated Press. 6 March 1983. p. 29. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  54. ^ "At Oaklawn Park – (race 9: held 27 February 1982)". Dayton Daily News. The Associated Press. 28 February 1982. p. 29. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  55. ^ "Bold Ego easily wins Oaklawn feature race – (race 9: held 28 February 1981)". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Associated Press. 1 March 1981. p. 47. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  56. ^ "Be A Prospect rolls at Oaklawn – (race 9: held 1 March 1980)". Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press. 2 March 1980. p. 69. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  57. ^ "Clever Trick wins at Oaklawn – (race 9: held 10 March 1979)". Lexington Leader. The Associated Press. 11 March 1979. p. 40. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  58. ^ "Bold L.B. still perfect – (race 9: held 25 February 1978)". The Lincoln Star. The Associated Press. 26 February 1978. p. 41. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  59. ^ "J. J. Battle wins Southwest 'Cap – (race 9: held 26 February 1977)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 27 February 1977. p. 53. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  60. ^ "Our Future King wins Southwest – (race 9: held 28 February 1976)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 27 February 1976. p. 53. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  61. ^ "Promised City Is Winner in Upset – (race 9: held 1 March 1975)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 2 March 1975. p. 53. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  62. ^ "J. R.'s Pet Is Winner– (race 9: held 2 March 1974)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 3 March 1974. p. 49. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  63. ^ "Game Lad Wins Oaklawn Race – (race 9: held 2 March 1973)". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. United Press International. 3 March 1973. p. 48. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  64. ^ "Oaklawn – (Division 1 race 7: held 26 February 1972)". Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press. 27 February 1972. p. 56. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  65. ^ "Billy Rogell Winner in Oaklawn feature – (Division 1 race 8: held 26 February 1972)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 27 February 1972. p. 59. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  66. ^ "Staunch Avenger's Win String Snapped by Barbizon Streak – (race 8: held 27 February 1971)". Sioux City Journal. The Associated Press. 28 February 1971. p. 33. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  67. ^ "Arkansas Derby won by Love That Dollar – (race 8: held 28 February 1970)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 1 March 1969. p. 33. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  68. ^ "Area Racing Roundup – (race 8: held 1 March 1969)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 2 March 1969. p. 40. Retrieved 7 February 2021.