Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Shippers join Southwest Stakes

Trainer Keith Desormeaux, who shipped in to win last year’s Southwest Stakes (G3) with My Boy Jack, will look for his second straight victory Monday in Oaklawn Park’s next Kentucky Derby 2019 prep.

Desormeaux is set to enter California-based Sueno in the $500,000 race at 1 1/16 miles, a tick farther than the modestly bred son of Atreides went when second last out in Santa Anita’s Jan. 5 Sham Stakes (G3).

Sueno, purchased for $61,000, has already earned $90,440, going from maiden claiming winner on Aug. 31 to stakes hero in Golden Gate’s Gold Rush on Dec. 1. Throughout, he has been campaigned by Silverton Hill, LLC, and trained by Desormeaux.

While Sueno earned his stakes victory on a synthetic surface, his peak speed figures came in a one-length defeat to Gunmetal Gray in the Sham. The colt surged between horses in deep stretch, looking like a potential winner until Gunmetal Gray swept by on the outside.

According to Oaklawn Park publicity, Mark Casse-trained Gulfstream Park maiden winner Olympic Runner will also ship in for the Southwest, joining a familiar case of local contenders.

The Smarty Jones Stakes’ 1-2-3-4 finishers — Gray Attempt, Long Range Toddy, Boldor and Six Shooter — should all appear in the entry box Friday. Super Steed, an allowance winner who finished seventh in the Smarty Jones, is also probable.

Trainer Todd Pletcher was expected to have an entrant. He nominated Starlight Racing’s maiden winner, Cutting Humor, though it’s unknown whether the colt will travel to Arkansas.

It appears trainer Bob Baffert will pass on this spot having nominated Green Fleet, Improbable, Kingly and Mucho Gusto. Any of those could make the trip, however, when the Derby trail continues at Oaklawn with the March 16 Rebel Stakes (G2).

The Southwest pays out Derby qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 scale to the Top 4 finishers.