This weekend brings us what likely will be the first win-and-you're-in Kentucky Derby prep, as the Risen Star will offer 50 points to the winner. And Eclipse award winner Essential Quality, the current favorite in Derby futures, will make his 3-year-old debut Monday in the Southwest.
Also on the calendar: a Kentucky Oaks prep at Fair Grounds, Monomoy Girl makes her 2021 debut, and Wells Bayou is entered in two weekend stakes. And No Parole returns to racing after a four-month layoff.
[RELATED: See who may join the favorites in the Kentucky Derby odds]
Here's an early look at the fields.
Derby preps — Saturday
Risen Star (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds, 50-20-10-5 points
We'll have a new name atop the Kentucky Derby points board after this race, which features the top four finishers of the Lecomte: in order, Midnight Bourbon, Proxy, Mandaloun and Santa Cruiser. Keepmeinmind, who hasn't raced since winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) in November, is expected to opt out of this one in favor of the Southwest Stakes (G3).
2021 Risen Star (G2)
El Camino Real Derby, Golden Gate Fields, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds, 10-4-2-1 points
Golden Gate racing officials weren't available Sunday to provide probable entries for this spot, which offers an automatic berth in the Preakness. But one starter is likely to be Rombauer, who finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last out. He was scratched for the Jan. 30 Robert B. Lewis.
Monday
Southwest (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds, 10-4-2-1 points
Essential Quality is expected to make his long-awaited return here after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to jump to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Keepmeinmind was second in the Juvenile and is second on the points list, with 18 points. Jackie's Warrior also would make his first start here since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, where he finished fourth.
2021 Southwest Stakes (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Quality Tapit | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| Jackie's Warrior Maclean's Music | S. Asmussen |
| Probable | ||||
| Keepmeinmind Laoban | R. Diodoro |
| Probable | ||||
| Last Samurai Malibu Moon | D. Stewart |
| Probable |
Oaks prep — Saturday
Rachel Alexandra (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies, 50-20-10-5 points
Travel Column returns here for Brad Cox after winning the Nov. 28 Goldenrod (G2) in her last start. Charlie's Penny, Souper Sensational and Moon Swag finished 1-2-3 in the Silverbulletday on Jan. 16, with Littlestitious coming in fifth.
2021 Rachel Alexandra (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clairiere Curlin | S. Asmussen J. Talamo |
| Entered | ||||
| Souper Sensational Curlin | M. Casse D. Carroll |
| Entered | ||||
| Moon Swag Malibu Moon | B. Walsh A. Beschizza |
| Entered | ||||
| Off We Go Air Force Blue | T. Amoss M. Mitchell |
| Entered | ||||
| Becca's Rocket Orb | S. Gelner M. Pedroza |
| Entered | ||||
| Zoom Up Upstart | T. Amoss J. Graham |
| Entered | ||||
| Littlestitious Ghostzapper | T. Amoss C. Hernandez |
| Entered | ||||
| Travel Column Frosted | B. Cox F. Geroux |
| Entered | ||||
| Charlie's Penny Race Day | C. Block B. Hernandez, Jr. |
| Entered |
Other graded stakes
Saturday
Fair Grounds Stakes (G3), Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 4-year-olds and up
Brad Cox brings two here: Factor This, a disappointing eighth in both the Breeders' Cup Mile and the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2) after five wins in his previous six races, and Set Piece, coming off a win in the Prairie Bayou. Logical Myth has won three straight and four of his last five starts.
2021 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberry Wine Oxbow | J. Sharp G. Saez |
| Entered | ||||
| Set Piece Dansili | B. Cox F. Geroux |
| Entered | ||||
| Artie's Rumor Artie Schiller | M. Maker B. Hernandez, Jr. |
| Entered | ||||
| Danceteria Redoute's Choice | H. Motion J. Velazquez |
| Entered | ||||
| Midnight Tea Time Midnight Lute | J. Sharp J. Talamo |
| Entered | ||||
| Logical Myth Data Link | J. Sharp A. Beschizza |
| Entered | ||||
| Dontblamerocket Blame | N. Casse M. Mena |
| Entered | ||||
| Factor This The Factor | B. Cox S. Bridgmohan |
| Entered | ||||
| Peace Achieved Declaration of War | M. Casse D. Carroll |
| Entered | ||||
| Captivating Moon Malibu Moon | C. Block M. Pedroza |
| Entered | ||||
| Spectacular Gem Can The Man | J. Baker J. Graham |
| Entered |
Mineshaft (G3), Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up
Undefeated Maxfield makes his 2021 debut here for trainer Brendan Walsh. His win in December's Tenacious Stakes was his first start since a leg injury in June. Wells Bayou also makes his second start off an injury either here or in the Razorback — he is entered in both after finishing third in the Louisiana Stakes on Jan. 16 for Brad Cox.
2021 Mineshaft Stakes (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enforceable Tapit | M. Casse A. Beschizza |
| Entered | ||||
| Wells Bayou Lookin At Lucky | B. Cox J. Velazquez |
| Entered | ||||
| Chess Chief Into Mischief | D. Stewart J. Graham |
| Entered | ||||
| Maxfield Street Sense | B. Walsh F. Geroux |
| Entered | ||||
| Dinar Union Rags | C. DeVaux S. Bridgmohan |
| Entered | ||||
| Sonneman Curlin | S. Asmussen J. Talamo |
| Entered | ||||
| Blackberry Wine Oxbow | J. Sharp G. Saez |
| Entered |
Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3), Gulfstream, 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up
Mischevious Alex won the Swale Stakes (G3) and the Gotham (G3) to start last year before finishing fourth in the Woody Stephens and (G1) and 10th in the Aug. 1 H. Allen Jerkens (G1). He didn't race again until debuting this year with an allowance optional claiming score at this track and and distance. Cajun Brother got his first stakes win in the Sunshine Sprint last out.
2021 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mischevious Alex Into Mischief | S. Joseph, Jr. |
| Probable | ||||
| Cajun Brother Cajun Breeze | M. Yates |
| Probable | ||||
| Wind Of Change Forestry | A. Sanchez |
| Probable | ||||
| Edgemont Road Speightstown | E. Kenneally |
| Probable |
Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (G3), Gulfstream, 5 furlongs (Turf), 4-year-olds and up
Leinster won the Shakertown (G2) and Woodford (G2) at Keeneland before his third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Imprimis had won two straight before finishing 13th in the BC Turf Sprint and then bouncing back to win the Jan. 1 Janus here.
2021 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (LS)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leinster Majestic Warrior | G. Arnold II |
| Probable | ||||
| Imprimis Broken Vow | J. Orseno |
| Probable | ||||
| High Crime Violence | D. Miller |
| Probable | ||||
| The Critical Way Tizway | J. Delgado |
| Probable |
General's Stake (G3), Laurel Park, 7 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up
Since winning the Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) in October, Majestic Dunhill has lost two straight G3 outings — the Fall Highweight and the Mr. Prospector. The last time Laki was in a graded stakes, he won the Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash at Pimlico. Then he stepped out of graded company and lost his next three starts, though he did make the board in each.
2021 General George (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laki Cuba | D. Dilodovico H. Karamanos |
| Entered | ||||
| Funny Guy Big Brown | J. Terranova S. Russell |
| Entered | ||||
| Lebda Raison d'Etat | C. Gonzalez A. Cintron |
| Entered | ||||
| Majestic Dunhill Majesticperfection | G. Weaver F. Lynch |
| Entered | ||||
| Fortunate Friends J P's Gusto | S. Morrow J. Toledo |
| Entered | ||||
| Informative Bodemeister | U. St. Lewis R. Chirinos |
| Entered | ||||
| Arthur's Hope Smart Bid | M. Salazar A. Cortez |
| Entered | ||||
| Chilly in Charge Take Charge Indy | M. Vera J. Acosta |
| Entered | ||||
| Tattooed Etched | T. Keefe A. Cruz |
| Entered |
Barbara Fritchie (G3), Laurel Park, 7 furlongs, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Hello Beautiful has won her last three starts, all at Laurel Park. This is the first race of the year for Dontletsweetfoolya, winner of five straight in the second half of 2020.
2021 Barbara Fritchie (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp Starr Munnings | H. DePaz A. Cintron |
| Entered | ||||
| Club Car Malibu Moon | B. Colebrook V. Carrasco |
| Entered | ||||
| Dontletsweetfoolya Stay Thirsty | L. Gaudet J. Toledo |
| Entered | ||||
| Estilo Talentoso Maclean's Music | J. Arriagada A. Crispin |
| Entered | ||||
| Suggestive Honor Suggestive Boy | M. Salazar J. Ruiz |
| Entered | ||||
| Hibiscus Punch Into Mischief | J. Nixon H. Karamanos |
| Entered | ||||
| Needs Supervision Paynter | J. O'Dwyer S. Russell |
| Entered | ||||
| Hello Beautiful Golden Lad | B. Russell S. Russell |
| Entered |
Razorback (G3) Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up
As mentioned, Wells Bayou is entered both here and in the Feb. 13 Mineshaft for Brad Cox. He also entered Owendale here, who followed up his fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile with a third-place finish in the Clark (G1). Dale Romans also brings two, Mr Freeze and Coastal Defense. Mystic Guide has finished in the money in each of his six starts, including a win in the Jim Dandy (G2) before his runner-up effort in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
2021 Razorback Handicap (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owendale Into Mischief | B. Cox J. Rosario |
| Entered | ||||
| Silver Prospector Declaration of War | S. Asmussen R. Santana, Jr. |
| Entered | ||||
| Mystic Guide Ghostzapper | M. Stidham L. Saez |
| Entered | ||||
| Mr Freeze To Honor and Serve | D. Romans D. Cohen |
| Entered | ||||
| Long Range Toddy Take Charge Indy | D. Stewart J. Court |
| Entered | ||||
| Wells Bayou Lookin At Lucky | B. Cox M. Garcia |
| Entered | ||||
| Coastal Defense Curlin | D. Romans D. Cabrera |
| Entered |
Santa Monica (G2), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Bob Baffert has two here: Qahira, winner of five of her eight starts, and Merneith, third when stepping up in the LaBrea (G1) after two straight wins. Hard Not to Love, winner of the 2020 edition of this race, hasn't scored since but has finished in the money in four of five starts. Fair Maiden returned to racing in September after a 10-month layoff, winning an allowance race and the LaBrea (G1) with a fourth-place finish in the Fort Springs in between.
2021 Santa Monica (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Maiden Street Boss | E. Harty |
| Probable | ||||
| Hard Not To Love Hard Spun | J. Shirreffs |
| Probable | ||||
| Amuse Medaglia d'Oro | R. Mandella |
| Probable | ||||
| Miss Stormy D Tapizar | C. Gaines |
| Possible | ||||
| Biddy Duke Bayern | D. O'Neill |
| Probable | ||||
| Proud Emma Include | P. Miller |
| Probable | ||||
| Qahira Cairo Prince | B. Baffert |
| Probable | ||||
| Merneith American Pharoah | B. Baffert |
| Probable |
Sunday
Sweet Life (G3), Santa Anita, 6 furlongs (turf), 3-year-old fillies
Majestic Steps broke her maiden for Philip D'Amato here on Jan. 2 after four tries in her native Ireland. Go Greta broke her maiden last out in July in England and is expected here for her first start since.
2021 Sweet Life Stakes (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squared Shady Square Eddie | J. Bonde |
| Probable | ||||
| Pizzazz War Front | R. Mandella |
| Probable | ||||
| I'm So Anna Fast Anna | S. Sherman |
| Probable | ||||
| Freedom Flyer Constitution | S. Callaghan |
| Probable | ||||
| Nimbostratus Wootton Bassett | P. Miller |
| Probable | ||||
| Five Pics Please Cinco Charlie | J. Sadler |
| Probable | ||||
| Go Greta Bated Breath | R. Hannon | Probable | |||||
| Going Global Mehmas | M. Halford | Probable | |||||
| Majestic Steps Footstepsinthesand | P. D'Amato |
| Probable | ||||
| Plum Sexy Munnings | D. O'Neill |
| Probable | ||||
| Royal Address Dandy Man | W. Haggas |
| Probable | ||||
| Salvaje Kantharos | C. DeVaux |
| Probable |
Monday
Bayakoa (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Brad Cox will see if he can keep the streak going for repeat champion and now 6-year-old Monomoy Girl. Her win in the Breeders' Cup Distaff last out capped a perfect four-for-four season. Finite's fourth-place finish in the La Brea (G1) followed a score in the Chilukki (G3) in November.
2021 Bayakoa (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monomoy Girl Tapizar | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| Finite Munnings | S. Asmussen |
| Probable | ||||
| Another Broad Include | S. Asmussen |
| Probable | ||||
| Istan Council Istan | J. Jones |
| Probable |
Also of interest: No Parole, winner of the 2020 Woody Stephens (G1) returns to racing on Wednesday in the LA Bred Premier Spirit at Delta Downs. It's his first start since a sixth-place finish in the Phoenix Stakes (G2) on Oct. 2.
