Sophomores Take Center Stage At Oaklawn

Grade 1 winner Strong Mandate could make his three-year-old debut in Monday’s $300,000 Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park. Trained by D Wayne Lukas, the big colt had a fine juvenile season capped by a nice try from an impossible post in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and we expect big things from him this year.

The likely contenders awaiting the potential favorite include a fine group with Walt, Ride on Curlin, Tapiture, Tanzanite Cat, Coastline and Paganol adding to the depth of this key three-year-old prep, the first of a race-race series in Arkansas.