Red hot trainer Bob Baffert shipped his Kentucky Derby 2012 contenders to Arkansas on Monday and he walked away with two graded wins in both divisions of the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes.
G3 Southwest division 1 (2-20-12): Castaway (92 BSF)
Bob Baffert is on a roll - photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Castaway overcame post eleven to win the first division of the Southwest for Bejarano/Baffert. The SoCal invader tracked pacesetter Majestic Stride and burst clear when that rival weakened. He cruised across the line almost four lengths to the good and paid $15.40.
Jake Mo was up for the place with Reckless Jerry rounding out the top three. The final time was nothing special and this event probably won’t produce a serious Derby contender.
Southwest division 1 Grade: C-
G3 Southwest division 2 (2-20-12): Secret Circle (102 BSF)
Secret Circle tasted defeat for the first time in the G3 Sham and got back on the beam at Oaklawn Park on Monday. The swift son of Eddington intently tracked Scatman and wore that rival down in the late stages. The top two were well clear of show finisher Adirondack King and the final time was strong.
Secret Circle might not be a ten furlong horse but the game colt is fast and has a nose for the wire.
Southwest division 2 Grade: C+
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