The 17th Running of the G3 Southwest Stakes
January 29, 2022 18:25
OP Race #2 $750.000 11/16 Dirt
3YO C/G 121 Lbs/F 116 Lbs
KYD Points Race (10-4-2-1)
Track Record-1:40.34 (Jesse James-2012)
Stakes Record-1:41.32 (Coup de Lyon-2016)
Ocean Of Wisdom got a well-timed ride from regular pilot V.R. Carrasco and powered-home through the stretch to emerge victorious in the $750.000 G3 Southwest Stakes. The 2nd KYD prep on the OP calendar saw the Nakamura Stables-trained 3yo complete the 8.5-furlongs in a sharp 1:41.55. With the win, Ocean Of Wisdom catapulted to the top of the KYD leaderboard as the 10 points he earned in Arkansas brought his total to 14 and in a tie for the top spot. The Southwest win improved his record to 5-3-1-0 and increased his earnings to $588.000.
Ocean Of Wisdom settled near the rear of the field in 8th as the triumvirate of Mr Pancake, Wrestler, and Up In Smoke took the field through an opening quarter in :23.22. The Hogshead gelding (o/o Pocono Junction) was six lengths off the pace with only The Martian behind him. While racing in about the four path, Ocean Of Wisdom was within five lengths of leader Mr Pancake as that runner reached four furlongs in :46.40. He was widest of all going around the final bend and still had only The Martian beaten when Mr Pancake hit three-quarters in 1:10.22.
Entering the stretch 8-wide, Ocean Of Wisdom was moving better than the four remaining horses in front of him. Utilizing a powerful burst, he went from 5th to 1st in just a sixteenth of a mile. V.R. Carrasco kept his mount busy through the final furlong to hit the wire a length in front of Fionas Miracle, Lailoni, and The Martian. That trio hit the wire pretty much as one; however, after looking at the photo, the judges ruled that Fionas Miracle had secured the place just in front of Lailoni and The Martian. While the winner secured 10 KYD points, the three behind him took home 4, 2, and 1, respectively. It was another two lengths back to Hardline Cobra in fifth and he was followed by Mr Pancake, Up In Smoke, No More Rattle, and Wrestler. The field was originally reduced from 14 to 11 due to the scratches of the trio from the barn of Mb Stables (shortly after drawing posts 9, 11, and 13) and then reduced again when the two Smokey Stover runners were withdrawn after not reaching the track by the 17:25 deadline.
Congratulations to Ocean Of Wisdom and Nakamura Stables for their victory in the G3 Southwest Stakes at OP. Good luck to all of the participants as they move along the KYD trail.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
