Printer Friendly Page 

Far Right again takes inside path to Southwest success

Far Right rallied up the inside, as he did in the Smarty Jones (Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography) Harry T. Rosenblum and Robert V. LaPenta's Far Right (Notional) made a winning move along the inside to capture the January 19 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park, and went to the same page from his playbook, with the same result, in Sunday's $300,000 Southwest S. (G3) back at the Hot Springs track.  With Hall of Famer Mike Smith coming back in for the ride, the Ron Moquett trainee again rallied from well back. As in the Smarty Jones, Far Right ranked as the 5-2 second choice, and earned another 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1). Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) was once again third as the favorite, contributing to the familiarity. But there was a difference this time: unlike the fast-track Smarty Jones, the Southwest was contested in a sea of slop. Rescheduled from its original Presidents' Day spot because of adverse winter weather, Sunday's renewal got off in the midst of another storm. Mr. Z, the 2-1 favorite, showed his customary early speed and dictated fractions of :23 3/5, :47 4/5 and 1:14 1/5. Hillbilly Royalty (Langfuhr), who was alongside the leader in the opening quarter, eased back to track in second, but renewed engagement turning for home. Meanwhile, The Truth or Else (Yes It's True), last early, was uncorking a sweeping move into contention on the outside. As Hillbilly Royalty began to tire down the lane, The Truth or Else was left to challenge Mr. Z.

Then Far Right found his favorite inside path, and his best stride, to overtake The Truth or Else and Mr. Z in the final yards and edged three-quarters of a length clear. After finishing 1 1/16 miles on the sealed track in 1:47 2/5, he returned $7.40 to win.

The Truth or Else got his nose down on the wire in front of a stubborn Mr. Z, who did not repeat his waywardness from the Smarty Jones. Bold Conquest (Curlin) rallied belatedly for fourth, another 2 3/4 lengths adrift of Mr. Z. Hillbilly Royalty checked in fifth, trailed by Majestico (Majesticperfection), Private Prospect (Discreet Cat), Bayerd (Speightstown), Phenomenal Phoenix (Summer Bird), Kantune (Kantharos) and the tailed-off Bold Animaux (Leroidesanimaux).

Far Right sports a mark of 8-3-2-2, $425,766, along with a total of 22 Derby points. A bargain $2,500 yearling at Keeneland January, he was initially raced by John Jazdzewski. Runner-up to such precocious juveniles as Conquest Tsunami (Stormy Atlantic) and Cinco Charlie (Indian Charlie) in his first two outings, Far Right was then purchased by Rosenblum. He rolled to a five-length maiden score at Churchill Downs in his September 13 debut for Moquett.

Competing in stakes company ever since, Far Right was fourth in the October 5 Futurity (G2) at Belmont, third in the October 26 Street Sense at Churchill and a badly hampered third in the November 22 Delta Downs Jackpot (G3). LaPenta subsequently acquired an interest in the colt, and he has now won both starts for the new partnership.

Far Right was bred in Kentucky by Nossab LLC and Patrick J. Crowley. The chestnut was produced by the unraced Vindication mare Zindi, who hails from the further family of classy sprinters Big Jag (Kleven), hero of the 2000 Dubai Golden Shaheen, and Grade 2 victress Reneesgotzip (City Zip). Far Right's fourth dam, however, is 1977 champion handicap mare Cascapedia (Chieftain) -- the same family as 2014 Horse of the Year, Kentucky Derby and Preakness (G1) star California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit).

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com

More Graded Recaps:

Bradester takes flight in Salvator Mile

Dogwood Trail leads to Azalea winner's circle

Grand Bili captures Carry Back

Big Blue Kitten regains United Nations title

Merry Meadow crowned in Princess Rooney

Send this article to a friend