Million-Dollar Question A deep cast of 14 sophomore stars will descend on Oaklawn Park this Friday for a shot at the top prize – and up to 20 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points – in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3). The race was originally scheduled for Saturday, January 31, but was moved due to inclement weather. Included in the impressive group is graded stakes winner Litmus Test, who completed a successful maiden season with a triumph in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on December 13. Bred by Machmer Hall and trained by Bob Baffert, the bay Nyquist colt reached the winner’s circle twice from five starts last season, compiling a 2-0-1 line with just over $350,000 banked. Well rested ahead of his first start of 2026, Litmus Test – an $875,000 purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale – enters the Southwest as the narrow 5-2 choice. Ode to a Legend Reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) champion Splendora is generating significant buzz ahead of the inaugural D. Wayne Lukas Stakes (G2), a seven-furlong test for older fillies and mares. Charted for Santa Anita this Saturday, the $200,000 contest – known as the Santa Monica since 1957 – was renamed this year in honour of legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who passed away in June at 89. For 4-5 morning line favourite Splendora, the newly-minted stakes tilt marks her first outing since a dominant Breeders’ Cup triumph (4 ¾ lengths) on November 1. The 5-year-old Bob Baffert charge has won three straight going back to July 24, 2025, and five of 10 starts overall (5-4-0) for owners By Talla Racing. Splendora has earned $860,800 after fetching a $125,000 price tag at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale. No Trepidation Keen to build on an exciting freshman campaign, Grade 1 winner Intrepido returns to Santa Anita this Saturday with his sights set on the $100,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3). The one-mile main track feature is a key stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), awarding qualifying points to the top five finishers as follows: 20-10-6-4-2. Set as the 7-2 second choice behind morning line favourite Desert Gate (6-5), Intrepido bears fond memories at Santa Anita after capturing last year’s American Pharoah (G1) at 8-1. With two wins from four starts overall, the 3-year-old Maximus Mischief bay has reeled in nearly $293,000 in prizes for owners Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. On the Prowl Still in search of that elusive maiden score, Into Mischief colt Renegade turns his attention to the $250,000 Sam F. Davis, Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. With Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points (20-10-6-4-2) also on the line, the 1 1/16-mile dirt dash for 3-year-olds presents a doubly enticing opportunity for the Todd Pletcher-trained bay. Lightly raced thus far with three starts on his scorecard, Renegade romped to a third-place result in his professional debut last August before collecting a pair of seconds, most notably in the Grade 2 Remsen on December 6. Owned by breeders Robert Low and Lawana Low, as well as Repole Stable, Renegade enters the Sam F. Davis as the early 8-5 choice. Making Noise Consistency has been Quietside’s calling card through two professional seasons, as the Malibu Moon filly has finished inside the top three in eight of 10 career starts. The reliable Ricardo Santana Jr. mount – and member of the million-dollar purse earnings club – aims to bolster her already impressive resume this Saturday in the $250,000 Bayakoa (G3) at Oaklawn Park. Quietside is eager to return to the Hot Springs, Arkansas oval having already found great success there with a pair of triumphs in the Grade 3 Honeybee and Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes. The Shortleaf Stable homebred, who stands at 3-4-1 altogether, will assume post four in the 1 1/16-mile Bayakoa. She opens as the 3-1 second choice. Matthew Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
