On Saturday February 3rd, Oaklawn Park will host the $800,000 Southwest Stakes. The Southwest Stakes is a Road to the Kentucky Derby race, where the winner will get 20 points, 2nd place gets 10, 3rd gets 6, 4th gets 4 and 5th gets 2 point towards winning entry into the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
Serving as a local steppingstone toward the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, the Southwest has risen steadily in prominence since Lil E. Tee and Pine Bluff launched it into the spotlight. Champions Smoke Glacken and Lawyer Ron won the race in 1997 and 2006, respectively, and fan favorite Smarty Jones stopped off in the Southwest winner’s circle prior to his runaway victories in the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The inaugural running of the event was in 1968
2024 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park – Saturday, February 3rd, 2024. Race and time to be determined as it gets closer to raceday!
