Southwest 2022: Who could run in Oaklawn's next Derby prep?

Recent Oaklawn maiden special weights graduate Call Me Jamal is pointing for the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 29, the gelding’s trainer, Mike Puhich, said Friday morning.

Owned by prominent Pacific Northwest heart surgeon Mark Dedomenico, Call Me Jamal was a front-running winner Dec. 18 under Geovanni Franco. In the 1 1/16-mile race, Call Me Jamal surrendered the lead in deep stretch before battling back to win by a head. It was his third career start and first around two turns.

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“If he’s as good in two weeks as he is today, he’s definitely going,” Puhich said, referring to the Southwest. “He’s ready.”

A chestnut son of the late Malibu Moon, Call Me Jamal is named after Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Jamal Adams.

The Southwest is Oaklawn’s second of four Kentucky Derby points races. The series began with the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1.

Other locally based horses pointing for the Southwest include Dash Attack for trainer Kenny McPeek, Barber Road (John Ortiz), Ben Diesel (Dallas Stewart) and Osbourne (Ron Moquett).

Dash Attack, Barber Road and Ben Diesel finished 1-2-7, respectively, in the one-mile Southwest. Osbourne finished second in the $400,000 Springboard Mile Stakes Dec. 17 at Remington Park in his last start.

All four horses recorded workouts over a fast track Friday morning. Dash Attack (49.80), Ben Diesel (49.0) and Osbourne (49.2) went a half-mile. Barber Road (1:03.6) went 5 furlongs.

Smarty Jones third-place finisher Ignitis is under consideration for the Southwest, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.

Like the Smarty Jones, the Southwest will offer 17 points to the top four finishes (10-4-2-1) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. Post positions for the Southwest will be drawn Jan. 24.