NEWS
Front-running Conveyance wins Southwest
Posted: Saturday, February 20, 2010 7:30 PM
CONVEYANCE
Jeff Coady/Coady Photography
To view the Southwest Stakes, click here.
by Mike Curry
Unbeaten Conveyance set a strong pace in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) and had enough stamina in reserve to hold off the late charge of Grade 1 winner Dublin for a three-quarter-length win on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
The one-mile Southwest originally was slated for February 15 but was rescheduled when Oaklawn was forced to cancel that card after four races because the track was freezing and clumping.
The same ten horses were entered for the rescheduled Southwest and Southern California shipper Conveyance quickly seized command, dictating the pace through an opening quarter in :22.78 and a half-mile in :46.25. Cool Bullet stalked from second with Smarty Jones Stakes winner Dryfly saving ground in third.
Conveyance increased his lead on the turn and spurted away entering the stretch, opening up a 2 1/2-length advantage at the eighth pole as the 9-to-5 favorite under Martin Garcia. Dublin closed from eighth with a sustained bid under Terry Thompson but never seriously threatened the victor, who completed one mile in 1:36.94 on a track rated as fast for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Conveyance entered the Southwest off a clear win in the San Rafael Stakes (G3), after which Baffert said he thought the Indian Charlie colt would relish a switch from the California synthetic surfaces to a traditional dirt track. The talented three-year-old proved his trainer correct by posting his fourth win in as many starts.
Conveyance has banked $210,000 in graded stakes earnings, which determines the field for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) if more than 20 horses are entered. He is out of the Holy Bull mare Emptythetill.
Sent off as the 7-to-2 second betting choice Dublin finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher and San Rafael runner-up Cardiff Giant. Dryfly faded badly in the stretch and finished ninth as the 3.10-to-1 second choice.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
