Southwest, Bayakoa, Razorback Postponed Again
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Horses battle for position at Oaklawn Park
The Southwest Stakes (G3), Bayakoa Stakes (G3), and Razorback Handicap (G3) have again been postponed with Oaklawn Park cancelling live racing Feb. 18-21 due to the weather forecast.
"Due to continued inclement weather predicted for the remainder of this week, Oaklawn, with the permission of the stewards, will cancel four days of racing this Thursday, Feb. 18 thru Sunday, Feb. 21. All 5 stakes move to the following week. More details will follow," the Hot Springs, Ark., track tweeted the evening of Feb. 15.
Rescheduled dates for stakes races are expected to be announced Feb. 16, according to Oaklawn spokesperson Jen Hoyt.
The Southwest, a Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race, and the Bayakoa for distaffers were originally scheduled for the Presidents Day card Monday. They were first pushed back to Feb. 20, then Feb. 21, due to winter weather in the extended forecast.
Brad Cox-trained champions Essential Quality and Monomoy Girl were scheduled to make their 2021 debuts in the Southwest and Bayakoa, respectively.
The Razorback, for horses in the handicap division, was originally set for Feb. 13 then pushed back to run on the same card as the Southwest and Bayakoa.
Other stakes affected by the latest cancellation include the Dixie Belle Stakes for sophomore sprint fillies and the Downthedustyroad Stakes for Arkansas-breds. Both races were slated for Saturday.