Southwest Stakes

Southwest Stakes

Grade III race
Location	Oaklawn Park Race Track Hot Springs, Arkansas
Inaugurated	1968 (as Southwest Handicap)
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website	Oaklawn Jockey Club
Race information
Distance	1+1⁄16 mile
Surface	Dirt
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Three-year-olds
Weight	122 lbs with allowances
Purse	$1,000,000 (since 2025)
Bonuses	Qualifications points – Road to the Kentucky Derby

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 $1,000,000.

History

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+1⁄2 lengths in a fast time on 1:102⁄5.[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+1⁄2 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+1⁄16 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

Speed record:

• 1+1⁄16 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:

• 3 - Larry Snyder (1979, 1983, 1990)
• 3 - Rafael Bejarano (2012 - both divisions, 2013)
• 3 - John R. Velazquez (2017, 2022, 2023)

Most wins by a trainer:

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

Most wins by an owner:

• 3 - Loblolly Stable (1984, 1987, 1991)

Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
Southwest Stakes
2025	Speed King	Rafael Bejarano	Ron Moquett	Triton Thoroughbreds	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.86	$1,000,000	III	[10]
2024	Mystik Dan	Emmanuel Esquivel	Juan Sanchez	J. Patrick Lee Racing	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.04	$800,000	III	[11]
2023	Arabian Knight	John R. Velazquez	Bob Baffert	Zedan Racing Stables	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.50	$750.000	III	[12]
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+1⁄16 miles	1:45.83	$750,000	III	[13]
2021	Essential Quality	Luis Saez	Brad H. Cox	Godolphin Racing	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.48	$750,000	III	[14]
2020	Silver Prospector	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Steven M. Asmussen	Ed & Susie Orr	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.01	$750,000	III	[15]
2019	Super Steed	Terry J. Thompson	J. Larry Jones	Michael Pressley & Steed Jackson	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.05	$500,000	III	[16]
2018	My Boy Jack	Kent J. Desormeaux	J. Keith Desormeaux	Don't Tell My Wife Stables & Monomoy Stables	1+1⁄16 miles	1:46.00	$500,000	III	[17]
2017	One Liner	John R. Velazquez	Todd A. Pletcher	WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International & SF Racing	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.83	$500,000	III	[18]
2016	Suddenbreakingnews	Luis S. Quinonez	Donnie K. Von Hemel	Samuel F. Henderson	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.14	$500,000	III	[19]
2015	Far Right	Mike E. Smith	Ron Moquett	Robert V. LaPenta & Harry T. Rosenblum	1+1⁄16 miles	1:47.50	$300,000	III	[20]
2014	Tapiture	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Steven M. Asmussen	Winchell Thoroughbreds	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.95	$300,000	III	[21]
2013	Super Ninety Nine	Rafael Bejarano	Bob Baffert	Tanma Corporation	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.84	$300,000	III	[22]
2012	Castaway	Rafael Bejarano	Bob Baffert	Willmott Stables	1 mile	1:37.08	$250,000	III	Division 1[23]
	Secret Circle	Rafael Bejarano	Bob Baffert	Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor		1:38.09	$250,000		Division 2[24]
2011	Archarcharch	Jon Court	William H. Fires	Robert Yagos	1 mile	1:38.23	$250,000	III	[25]
2010	Conveyance	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	Zabeel Racing International	1 mile	1:36.94	$250,000	III	[26]
2009	Old Fashioned	Ramon A. Dominguez	J. Larry Jones	Fox Hill Farms	1 mile	1:37.41	$250,000	III	[27]
2008	Denis of Cork	Robby Albarado	David M. Carroll	Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr.	1 mile	1:37.89	$250,000	III	[28]
2007	Teuflesberg	Stewart Elliott	Jamie Sanders	Gary S. Logsdon, Jamie Sanders & Donnie Kelly	1 mile	1:38.20	$250,000	Listed	[29]
2006	Lawyer Ron	John McKee	Robert E. Holthus	Estate James T. Hines, Jr.	1 mile	1:40.00	$250,000	Listed	[30]
2005	Greater Good	John McKee	Robert E. Holthus	Lewis G. Lakin	1 mile	1:39.09	$100,000	Listed	[31]
2004	Smarty Jones	Stewart Elliott	John C. Servis	Someday Farm	1 mile	1:37.57	$100,000	Listed	[32]
2003	Great Notion	Terry J. Thompson	Darrin Miller	Silverton Hill	1 mile	1:38.96	$75,000	Listed	[33]
2002	Private Emblem	Donnie Meche	Steven M. Asmussen	James Cassels & Bob Zollars	1 mile	1:41.70	$75,000	Listed	Division 1[34]
	Paloma Parilla	James Lopez	Larry Robideaux Jr.	Barnett Stables		1:40.29	$75,000		Division 2[35]
2001	Son of Rocket	Terry J. Thompson	Robert E. Holthus	Frank Fletcher Racing	1 mile	1:38.34	$75,000	Listed	[36]
2000	Afternoon Affair	Joseph C. Judice	Robert E. Holthus	Swifty Farms	1 mile	1:37.18	$75,000	Listed	[37]
1999	Jim'smrtee	Travis Wayne Hightower	John Milliron	James M. Hutzel	1 mile	1:39.52	$75,000	III	[38]
1998	Hot Wells	Calvin H. Borel	Thomas M. Amoss	So What's Nu Stable	1 mile	1:38.69	$75,000	III	[39]
1997	Smoke Glacken	Craig Perret	Henry L. Carroll	Alex Karkenny, Robert Levy & William Roberts	1 mile	1:38.73	$100,000	III	[40]
1996	Ide	Craig Perret	Peter M. Vestal	Willmott Stables	1 mile	1:37.81	$100,000	III	[41]
1995	Mystery Storm	Carlos Gonzalez	Larry Robideaux Jr.	David Beard	1 mile	1:36.63	$100,000	III	[42]
1994	Southern Rhythm	Garrett K. Gomez	James O. Keefer	L. William Heiligbrodt, Ted Keefer & Walter New	1 mile	1:36.95	$100,000	Listed	[43]
1993	Foxtrail	Willie Martinez	Larry Robideaux Jr.	Linda Bennett	1 mile	1:36.51	$100,000	Listed	[44]
1992	Big Sur	David Guillory	D. Wayne Lukas	Overbrook Farm	1 mile	1:36.68	$100,000	Listed	[45]
1991	Fenter	Donald Lee Howard	Thomas K. Bohannan	Loblolly Stable	1 mile	1:37.06	$75,000	Listed	[46]
1990	Tarascon	Larry Snyder	Jack Van Berg	John A. Franks	1 mile	1:35.80	$58,400		[47]
1989	Termez	Dean Kutz	J. Bert Sonnier	Kip Knelman & Steve Hayden	1 mile	1:37.80	$63,000		[48]
1988	Proper Reality	Jerry D. Bailey	Robert E. Holthus	James A. Winn	1 mile	1:36.80	$60,700		[49]
1987	Demons Begone	Pat Day	Philip M. Hauswald	Loblolly Stable	1 mile	1:34.60	$59,900		[50]
1986	Rare Brick	Mike E. Smith	A. J. Foyt III	A. J. Foyt	1 mile	1:36.20	$66,400		[51]
1985	Clever Allemont	Pat Day	Lynn S. Whiting	W. Cal Partee	1 mile	1:37.60	$62,300		[52]
Southwest Handicap
1984	Whitebrush	Garth Patterson	Claude R. McGaughey III	Loblolly Stable	1 mile	1:34.40	$50,000		[53]
1983	Say I'm Smart	Larry Snyder	David R. Vance	Flying Zee Stable	6 furlongs	1:11.80	$50,000		[54]
1982	El Baba	Donald Brumfield	Dewey P. Smith	Mrs. Joe W. Brown	6 furlongs	1:12.60	$50,000		[55]
1981	Bold Ego	John Lively	Dennis Werre	Double B Ranch	6 furlongs	1:11.80	$50,000		[56]
1980	Be A Prospect	Herb McCauley	Barr H. Inman	Carl W. Swan	6 furlongs	1:12.00	$50,000		[57]
1979	Clever Trick	Larry Snyder	Del W. Carroll	William S. Farish III	6 furlongs	1:11.20	$50,000		[58]
1978	Bold L. B.	John Lively	Dennis Werre	Dazoc Stable	6 furlongs	1:11.00	$50,000		[59]
1977	J. J. Battle	Carlos Rivas	W. R. Charlie Morse	Jay Chestnut	6 furlongs	1:12.80	$25,000		[60]
1976	Our Future King	James McKnight	Kenneth Burkhart	Attica Farm	6 furlongs	1:10.60	$25,000		[61]
1975	Promised City	David E. Whited	Larry R. Spraker	Big 1 Farm	6 furlongs	1:11.00	$25,000		[62]
1974	§ J. R.'s Pet	Darrel G. McHargue	Harold Tinker	W. Cal Partee	6 furlongs	1:11.20	$25,000		[63]
1973	§ Game Lad	Louis Spindler	David R. Vance	Dan Lasater	6 furlongs	1:10.60	$30,000		[64]
1972	Parlez Encore	Lonnie Ray	James L. Levitch	Dr. C. R. Jarrell	6 furlongs	1:13.20	$20,000		Division 1[65]
	Billy Rogell	Earl Knapp	Larry L. Fontenot	Perle L. & Charles R. Grissom		1:12.20	$20,000		Division 2[66]
1971	Barbizon Streak	Arturo Romero	Oran Battles	Mrs. Herman J. Udouj	6 furlongs	1:10.80	$20,000		[67]
1970	Love That Dollar	Ronald J. Campbell	D. Scott Posey	Everett Lowrance	6 furlongs	1:12.60	$15,000		[68]
1969	Ruler in Gold	Phil Grimm	Ronnie G. Warren	Mr. & Mrs. R. F. Roberts	6 furlongs	1:11.60	$15,000		[69]
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+1⁄2 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

• List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links

• Oaklawn Park Media Guide 2020

References

1. "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. "SOUTHWEST STAKES - OAKLAWN PARK, AR". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
3. "Southwest" (PDF). Oaklawn Park Media Guide 2020. Oaklawn Park. 2020. pp. 34, 70. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
4. "Oaklawn Results – (race 7: held 24 March 1959)". Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press. 25 March 1959. p. 25. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
5. "Oaklawn Results – (race 6: held 17 February 1962)". Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press. 18 February 1962. p. 40. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
6. "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. "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. "2025 Southwest Stakes Stakes Grade 3 (race 10)". Equibase. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
11. "2024 Southwest Stakes Stakes Grade 3 (race 12)". Equibase. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
12. "2023 Southwest Stakes - Grade 3 (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
13. "2022 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
14. "2021 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
15. "2020 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
16. "2019 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
17. "2018 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
18. "2017 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
19. "2016 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
20. "2015 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
21. "2014 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
22. "2013 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
23. "2012 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 Division 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
24. "2012 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 Division 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
25. "2011 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
26. "2010 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
27. "2009 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
28. "2008 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
29. "2007 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
30. "2006 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 February 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
31. "2005 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
32. "2004 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 February 2004. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
33. "2003 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 1 March 2003. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
34. "2002 (Mar) Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 March 2002. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
35. "2002 (Mar) Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 March 2002. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
36. "2001 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 March 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
37. "2000 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 4 March 2000. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
38. "1999 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 February 1999. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
39. "1998 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 28 February 1998. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
40. "1997 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 March 1997. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
41. "1996 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 March 1996. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
42. "1995 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 March 1995. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
43. "1994 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 March 1994. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
44. "1993 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 6 March 1993. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
45. "1992 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 March 1992. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
46. "1991 Southwest Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 9 March 1991. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
47. "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.
48. "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.
49. "Proper Reality triumphs – (race 9: held 5 March 1988)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 6 March 1988. p. 37. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
50. "Proper Reality triumphs – (race 9: held 6 March 1987)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 8 March 1987. p. 43. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
51. "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.
52. 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.
53. "Oaklawn feature – (race 9: held 10 March 1984)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 11 March 1984. p. 10. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
54. "At Oaklawn Park – (race 9: held 5 March 1983)". Dayton Daily News. The Associated Press. 6 March 1983. p. 29. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
55. "At Oaklawn Park – (race 9: held 27 February 1982)". Dayton Daily News. The Associated Press. 28 February 1982. p. 29. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
56. "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.
57. "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.
58. "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.
59. "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.
60. "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.
61. "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.
62. "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.
63. "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.
64. "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.
65. "Oaklawn – (Division 1 race 7: held 26 February 1972)". Detroit Free Press. The Associated Press. 27 February 1972. p. 56. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
66. "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.
67. "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.
68. "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.
69. "Area Racing Roundup – (race 8: held 1 March 1969)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 2 March 1969. p. 40. Retrieved 7 February 2021.