First Look: Southwest leads 7 weekend graded stakes

Assuming the weather cooperates, we will get to see Essential Quality's 3-year-old debut on Sunday in the postponed Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn.

The race is the only Kentucky Derby prep on the calendar this weekend, and it offers 10-4-2-1 points to the top four finishers.

The Southwest is one of three graded stakes at Oaklawn this weekend, along with the rescheduled Razorback (G3) and Bayakoa (G3), where older dirt female champion Monomoy Girl will make her first start since winning her second Breeders' Cup Distaff.

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Racing was canceled at Oaklawn last weekend because of severe weather, and officials weren't available to provide updated lists of probable entries. But trainer Brad Cox told HRN that Essential Quality, 2-year-old champion and winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and Monomoy Girl would start at Oaklawn on Sunday.

Cox also said there is no plan for now for Wells Bayou, who had been entered in both the postponed Razorback and the Mineshaft, won on Saturday by Maxfield.

In a tuneup for the Southwest, Essential Quality worked five furlongs in 1:02.4 Sunday at Fair Grounds, and Monomoy Girl went the same distance in 1:01.4.

At Laurel Park, the General George (G3) and the Barbara Fritchie (G3) also were postponed from last weekend.

Here is an early look at the fields of the weekend's graded stakes.

Saturday

Royal Delta (G3), Gulfstream, 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Mrs. Danvers seeks her third straight win here for trainer Shug McGaughey. She had been winless in four stars in 2020 before scoring in an allowance race in October and the Comely Stakes (G3) in November. Saffie Joseph Jr. is expected to bring Gibberish, winner of three straight, and Queen Nekia, who hasn't won since August.

Buena Vista (G2), Santa Anita, 1 mile, turf, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Brooke is expected to make her second U.S. start here for Simon Callaghan after five wins in eight starts in South America. Mucho Unusual has won three of her last four — all graded stakes — with the loss a 12th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf for trainer Tim Yakteen.

General George (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.

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.

Sunday

Southwest (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds

In addition to Essential Quality on target, Jackie's Warrior is expected to make his first start since a fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, before which he had won all four starts. Keepmeinmind won the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) in November, his first victory in four starts. He previously was third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Bayakoa (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

If Monomoy Girl, now 6, wins here, it would be her 14th victory in 16 starts. Trainer Brad Cox also could start either Vault or Getridofwhatailesu. Finite's fourth-place finish in the La Brea (G1) followed a score in the Chilukki (G3) in November.

Razorback (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Owendale, looking for his first win since May, returns after a third-place finish in the Clark (G1) at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox. 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 last season. Long Range Toddy hasn't won since the Rebel Stakes (G2) in 2019 and hasn't raced since May.