Trainers hoping winter storm doesn't derail Southwest plans

A winter storm was bearing down on Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Sunday, but

trainers said they were still hopeful that Monday's $300,000 Southwest S. (G3)

-- the second major local

prep for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 11 -- will be run as scheduled.

"I just want to run," said D. Wayne Lukas, who trains Mr.

Z (Malibu Moon). "It really throws a wrench in your plans if we don't. You have

to readjust all that stuff."

The Southwest will offer 17 points, including 10 to the

winner, as part of the "Road to the Kentucky" series of races. If more than 20

horses enter the Kentucky Derby, starting preference is given to horses who

accumulate the highest point totals in the designated races.

Mr. Z is among 12 horses entered in the Southwest, which

has a probable post time of 5:09 p.m. (CST). Oaklawn's annual $55,000

progressive cash giveaway promotion is also scheduled Monday.

The Southwest will mark the third meeting between Far

Right (Notional), the 3-1 program favorite, and Mr. Z, the early 7-2 second choice. Far

Right finished a troubled third in the November 22 Delta Jackpot S. (G3) at Delta Downs

while Mr. Z finished second, beaten a nose, in the race.

Far Right turned the tables on Mr. Z in the Smarty

Jones S. on January 19 at Oaklawn, winning that one-mile race by 1 3/4 lengths under Hall of Fame

jockey Mike Smith. Mr. Z turned for home with a clear lead before veering out

suddenly after being struck left-handed by Jon Court.

"It's horse racing," Lukas said. "I just think the horse caught Jon by

surprise."

Mr. Z recovered to finish third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Far

Right. For the Southwest, Corey Nakatani has been named to ride Mr. Z, who is

scheduled to break from post 10 in the projected 11-horse field.

"All of that's fine," Lukas said.

Far Right received a ground-saving trip in the Smarty Jones

and is coming up to the race well, trainer Ron Moquett said. He is scheduled to

break from post 2.

"Perfect," Moquett said. "It's almost like I drew it."

Moquett said Smith was traveling from his Southern

California base Sunday, adding he's hopeful the race will be run Monday. If the

Southwest has to be postponed, Moquett and co-owner Harry Rosenblum said they

were unsure if they could retain Smith because of possible prior commitments.

"We are ready for whatever they let us do," Moquett said. "If they say that

we're not running, we'll go from there. But, we're planning on running."

Trainer Kenny McPeek stated in late December that he believed

The Truth Or Else (Yes It's True) could be an $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) candidate

and is hoping to get his answer as the chestnut colt makes his three-year-old

bow in the Southwest.

The Truth Or Else has kept some fast company since breaking his maiden last September

at Belmont Park. In his final three starts at two, The Truth Or

Else faced the likes of Daredevil, Upstart, Blofeld, El Kabeir, Leave the Light

On and Frosted.

"He's working lights out," McPeek said Sunday morning. "It's still a little

ambitious for him, maybe."

Calvin Borel is scheduled to ride The Truth Or Else for the first time in the

Southwest, but the Hall of Fame jockey has been aboard the Kentucky-bred in the morning, including a three-furlong bullet workout

in :35 1/5 on

Friday.

"Calvin is really fond of the horse and thinks he could be anything, but he's

going to have to run back to his maiden win and improve," McPeek said. "But I

think he can do it."

The Truth Or Else is scheduled to break from post 5 Monday and is 20-1 in the program.

Citing the possible winter weather, and an outside post (11),

trainer Tom Amoss elected not to run War Story (Northern Afleet) in the Southwest and said the

gelding would await the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) on February 21 at Fair Grounds.

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