Don't mention it to Hard Spun unless you want a kick in the head--but in recent years, the one-mile Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn has helped propel such horses as Smarty Jones, Teuflesberg, and Lawyer Ron on the Kentucky Derby trail. On Monday, February 18, 2008, the Southwest Stakes makes its graded debut at Grade III. The upgrade makes the Southwest Stakes an even more significant prep for Derby contenders to win, as based on the most graded earnings, only twenty Kentucky Derby contenders can make the Kentucky Derby field. This year's contenders may include undefeated Denis of Cork, trained by David Carrol; and 2007 Delta Jackpot winner Turf War, trained by Mark Casse.
Denis of Cork has yet to face stakes company, while Turf War won the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot in a dead-heat with Bill Mott-trained Z-humor. Last year the Southwest Stakes was won by front-running Teuflesberg [replay], upsetting the undefeated career of '08 favorite Hard Spun.
2008 Southwest Stakes - Monday, February 18, 2008
Recommended:News and Entries - Oaklawn.com
Turf War tries to step into spotlight - DRF.com
Is Denis of Cork for real - KentuckyDerby.com
Casse prepares Turf War for Southwest - DRF.com
Z - Humor, Turf War dead-heat in Delta
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