Southwest, Bayakoa, Razorback Postponed Again

The Southwest Stakes (G3), Bayakoa Stakes (G3), and Razorback Handicap (G3) have again been postponed with Oaklawn Park cancelling live racing Feb. 18-21 due to the weather forecast.

“Due to continued inclement weather predicted for the remainder of this week, Oaklawn, with the permission of the stewards, will cancel four days of racing this Thursday, Feb. 18 thru Sunday, Feb. 21. All 5 stakes move to the following week. More details will follow,” the Hot Springs, Ark., track tweeted the evening of Feb. 15.

Rearranged dates for stakes races are expected to be revealed Feb. 16, according to Oaklawn spokesperson Jen Hoyt.

The Southwest, a Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race, and the Bayakoa for distaffers were initially scheduled for the Presidents Day card Monday. They were first pushed back to Feb. 20, then Feb. 21, due to winter weather in the extended forecast.

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Brad Cox-trained champions Essential Quality and Monomoy Girl were arranged to make their 2021 debuts in the Southwest and Bayakoa, respectively.

The Razorback, for horses in the handicap division, was initially set for Feb. 13 then pushed back to run on the same card as the Southwest and Bayakoa.

Other stakes affected by the latest cancellation incorporate the Dixie Belle Stakes for sophomore sprint fillies and the Downthedustyroad Stakes for Arkansas-breds. Both races were slated for Saturday.

Horses have not worked at Oaklawn since Thursday, the last day of racing.

The Southwest is a points race for the Kentucky Derby. Probable horses for the race incorporate champion Essential Quality, multiple Grade 1 winner Jackie’s Warrior and Grade 2 winner Keepmeinmind. Respective trainers Brad Cox, Steve Asmussen and Robertino Diodoro maintain large stables at Oaklawn.

Champion racemare Monomoy Girl was to make her 6-year-old debut and first Oaklawn start in the Bayakoa. Monomoy Girl (Distaff) and Essential Quality (Distaff) were two of trainer Cox’s four Breeders’ Cup winners last year at Keeneland.

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