Tipsheet: 2022 Southwest Stakes

A strong field of 12 sophomores will go 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on Saturday in the $750,000 Southwest S. (G3). The top four finishers will receive qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 basis in the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest.

Southwest Stakes Picks

• #10 Newgrange
• #1 Ben Diesel
• #2 Dash Attack
• #9 Classic Moment

Southwest Stakes Wagers

• $30 win #10 Newgrange
• $5 exacta key box 10 with 1, 2, 9
• $2 trifecta key 10 with 1, 2, 5, 9

Southwest Stakes Contenders

#1 BEN DIESEL dueled on the lead before tiring in the stretch in the recent Smarty Jones S. for Dallas Stewart. The Will Take Charge colt gets a much better draw for this test, and he will be saving ground throughout while forwardly placed. Jon Court has the ride.

#2 DASH ATTACK has won two races in succession to start his career, led by a convincing tally in the Smarty Jones S. The Ken McPeek pupil has posted two solid drills in the interim, and the win threat will be doing his best work late beneath David Cohen.

#3 DON’TCROSSTHEDEVIL showed little in the slop in his initial try on the surface last time out, but he will improve in his second for Philip D’Amato. The son of Cross Traffic will be closer early in this one under Ramon Vazquez.

#4 KAVOD led late before ultimately finishing fourth in the Smarty Jones for trainer Chris Hartman. The chestnut son of Lea is in good current form and rates as a top-three contender with another move in the right direction. Francisco Arrieta has the call.

#5 COSTA TERRA is stakes-placed for Steve Asmussen and makes his seasonal debut in this one. The Gun Runner colt was a belated fifth after being left early in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, and the late runner could make noise late if the pace backs up in the lane. The sneaky exotics contender will be at a big number.

#6 OSBOURNE has been first or second in each of his three performances to date, led by a runner-up result in the Springboard Mile S. The Ron Moquett pupil is bred to handle the trip, and he will factor with a well-timed ride while making his graded debut.

#7 IGNITIS ran his best race to date when third in the recent Smarty Jones S. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee would be a surprise to win, but he could be in range to grab a share with continued improvement.

#8 BARBER ROAD continues to progress since adding the hood for trainer John Ortiz. The Smarty Jones second is a bit of a question mark at the distance with this kind, but he possesses excellent form and must be considered a top-three player with his best effort. Ricardo Santana will be in the stirrups.

#9 CLASSIC MOMENT is the second runner for Asmussen and intrigues with the addition of blinkers on this occasion. The $350,000 Classic Empire colt flashed potential at two and might be ready to show progression as a sophomore. The dark bay colt will have Martin Garcia in the silks on Saturday.

#10 NEWGRANGE ships from the Golden State as the one to catch and beat for Bob Baffert. The fleet Violence colt was ultra-impressive in his wire-to-wire Sham S. (G3) victory most recently, and a repeat of that performance will make the colt tough to upend under John Velazquez.

#11 CALL ME JAMAL broke through with a game maiden score on the course last time out. The well-bred gelding is cut out to handle the distance with ease, but he will need major improvement to upset this cast from a tough post slot.

#12 VIVAR closed from the back to be fifth while widest in the Smarty Jones last time out, and the sophomore will add blinkers for this contest. The Brad Cox trainee adds the hood and could be a late factor with expected improvement beneath Florent Geroux.