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Southwest redrawn with 11

Far Right is a likely favorite after rallying to win going away in the Smarty Jones (Oaklawn/Coady Photography)

After being postponed due to freezing conditions, Sunday's Southwest (G3) was redrawn Thursday morning with a field of 11. The 1 1/16-mile event will retain its points' value as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, awarding 10-4-2-1 to the top four respective finishers.

Far Right (Notional) is the horse to beat following his Smarty Jones S. victory at the Hot Springs, Arkansas track on January 19. Trained by Ron Moquett, the colt rallied to score by 1 3/4 lengths after posting a third in the Delta Jackpot (G3) in his juvenile finale. Mike Smith retains the mount on the likely favorite.

Bayerd (Speightstown), Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) and Private Prospect (Discreet Cat), respective second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the Smarty Jones, are all back for the Southwest as well. Bayerd is one of two runners from the Steve Asmussen stable along with Bold Conquest (Curlin), who rates as a dangerous challenger in his 2015 bow. Last seen recording a third in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, Bold Conquest also finished a neck second in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. Ricardo Santana Jr. picks up the mount.

Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) will break from the far outside with new rider Corey Nakatani, who will attempt to maintain a straight path aboard the D. Wayne Lukas-trained colt. Mr. Z, who owns only a maiden win but has placed in six stakes, veered toward the grandstand with a clear lead in the stretch drive of the Smarty Jones, likely costing himself a victory.

Multiple stakes-placed The Truth Or Else (Yes It's True), unraced since a sixth in the Remsen (G2), will add blinkers for his sophomore return. Calvin Borel takes over the assignment.

Originally scheduled for last Monday's Presidents Day program, the Southwest initially drew 12 runners, but J S Bach (Tale of the Cat) and War Story (Northern Afleet) have both defected in favor of Saturday's Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds. Hillbilly Royalty (Langfuhr), who is unbeaten from two career outings, is the lone new addition. The Donnie Von Hemel-trained gelding exits a 4 1/2-length romp over allowance/optional claiming foes at Oaklawn on February 6.

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