2/16 (OP): Southwest S. (Gr. III)

[DaTruth]

Two races prior to the Southwest, Oaklawn ran a $30,000 claimer for older fillies and mares at the same one mile distance as the Southwest. Old Fashioned’s winning time was 1.76 seconds faster than the final time of that claiming race, which was won by Nine M.M.. Old Fashioned ran his final furlong in 13.18 seconds. Nine M.M. ran her final furlong in 13.22 seconds. Old Fashioned was half a length off the lead with a quarter to run, and the final quarter mile in the Southwest was run in 26.37 seconds. Nine M.M. won her race going wire to wire, with the final quarter run in 26.41 seconds.

Granted, it was Old Fashioned's first start in almost three months, and he chased a fast opening half, but I expected the top dog on the Derby road to finish much faster than a Delta mare.