HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) -This time, the heavy favorite came through for trainer Larry Jones.
Old Fashioned won the Southwest Stakes on Monday, passing Silver City on the second turn to remain undefeated in the first of Oaklawn Park's three big Kentucky Derby prep races. The victory was a sweet one for Jones, who trained Hard Spun when that favored horse finished fourth in this race two years ago.
``That was a tough day,'' Jones said. ``It was just something you had to swallow. ... Thank goodness this one lived up to the billing and all went well.''
Hard Spun's loss in 2007 was a fluke - the horse ended up second in the Kentucky Derby that year. Old Fashioned has shown similar potential, winning his first four starts. The colt won a pair of races in November by a combined 22 3/4 lengths. This was his 2009 debut.
About 20 minutes before the race, Old Fashioned's odds were posted at 1-9 and almost every other entry was considered a longshot. Six other horses - more than half of the 11-horse field - were posted at 60-1 or longer.
``He can make you feel like you're invincible,'' Jones said.
Old Fashioned went off at 1-2, broke immediately toward the front and then settled in behind Silver City on the backstretch. Old Fashioned, with Ramon Dominguez aboard, made his move with ease to win by 3 1/4 lengths in the $250,000 race.
Old Fashioned covered a mile on the fast track in 1 minute, 37.4 seconds, equaling the time posted by Smarty Jones when he won the Southwest in 2004. The fractions were fast - the first quarter-mile in 22.47 seconds and a half-mile in 45.98.
``Down the backside I knew we were going fast but it didn't feel like he was rushing to keep up with the leader,'' Dominguez said. ``When I caught up to the leader at the top of the stretch he dug in and finished strong. I hope that stretch run did him some good.''
Silver City (7-2) held on gamely for second place and could be a Kentucky Derby contender after acquitting himself well against Old Fashioned.
``He settled in down the backside and relaxed. I thought he was doing it within himself,'' said Miguel Mena, Silver City's jockey. ``When the winner came to us at the quarter pole he fought back and never stopped trying.''
Jones was also complimentary of the runner-up.
``I think this was a very good effort on his part,'' Jones said. ``I hope, and I really feel, that he ran into a special horse today.''
Buzzin And Dreamin (64-1) was third.
Old Fashioned paid $3 on a $2 win bet. A $2 exacta paid all of $7.80.
If Old Fashioned reaches the Kentucky Derby, he could be a sentimental favorite. Last year, Jones trained the filly Eight Belles, who was euthanized in a heartbreaking scene after breaking down following a second-place finish in the Derby. Jones, 52, has said he plans to retire after this year's Breeders' Cup.
Oaklawn's next two big Derby preps are the Rebel next month and the Arkansas Derby in April. That's the same path Smarty Jones took in 2004 en route to a Kentucky Derby victory.
Other recent Arkansas Derby champions included Curlin and Afleet Alex. Jones wouldn't make any promises, but Old Fashioned's camp seems keen to keep the horse in Arkansas.
``We don't want to move,'' Jones said. ``I don't think there's a better series in the country to get you ready for the Derby.''
