The Arkansas path to the 2025 Kentucky Derby continues with the Southwest Stakes (G3) and gives 3-year-olds a million reasons to chase their Triple Crown dreams— just as Mystik Dan did last year when he won the Southwest en route to his run for the roses triumph. Aside from the $1 million purse, the Oaklawn Park stakes will also provide 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
1. Gaming (2-1 morning-line odds): Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is back in the Kentucky Derby (G1) hunt and he has a top contender in this son of Game Winner . He was a disappointing third as a heavy favorite in the Los Alamitos Futurity but was a game second before that in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA. A sharp recent workout builds confidence in the notion Baffert shipped him here because he expects an improved effort.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
2. Publisher (12-1): Still a maiden, but ran a huge speed figure while second in the mud on this track. Give him a close look if it rains.
JOCKEY: Erik Asmussen; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
3. Monet's Magic (15-1): Has back-to-back wins at the maiden/allowance level but will need to take a step forward to be a main threat in this field.
JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Ben Colebrook
4. Tiztastic (10-1): Closed 2024 with a nice third in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). Has put in some solid workouts for his 3-year-old debut and merits major consideration.
JOCKEY: Keith Asmussen; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
5. Render Judgment (15-1): Was a distant third in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Adds blinkers and that could help his cause.
JOCKEY: Emmanuel Esquivel; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
6. Sandman (5-1): Looked good in final start as a 2-year-old, winning an Oaklawn allowance race in solid time. Should be closing late and will welcome a fast pace.
JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Mark Casse
7. Patch Adams (5-2): Another talented 3-year-old making his stakes debut for trainer Brad Cox. Comes off a lopsided maiden win at Churchill Downs in November in very fast time. Gets Flavien Prat in the saddle, so you know the connections mean business.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
8. American Promise (8-1): Another coming off a big win in the mud. Rain definitely would help this maiden winner's chances.
JOCKEY: Tyler Bacon; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
9. Bon Temps (30-1): He's still a maiden after three tries and, though he was fourth in the Smarty Jones Stakes, he's a legitimate longshot here.
JOCKEY: Nik Juarez; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
10. Speed King (15-1): Has a high cruising speed which may help to overcome the outside post. Was second in the Remington Springboard Mile in just his second start and seems to have a bright future ahead of him.
JOCKEY: Rafael Bejarano; TRAINER: Ron Moquett
THE PICK: Gaming
LIVE LONGSHOT: Speed King
SUPERFECTA: 1-7-6-10
