Baffert-owned Castaway wins first Southwest Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) - Castaway didn't mind an outside starting spot in the least.

The Bob Baffert-trained horse pulled away on the home stretch to win the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Monday.

The colt won his last time out at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 12. He started from the 11th position, but went out early with Majestic Stride in the Southwest before running away from the field down the stretch.

``Everyone said we drew bad when we got the 11, but I wasn't bothered by that,'' assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said. ``You put them in from the rail out, so they're not in the gate that long.''

Jake Mo finished second, followed by Jerry Reckless, who is owned by country singer Toby Keith.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Castaway paid $15.40, $9.40 and $7.20. Jake Mo paid $19 and $7.40, while Jerry Reckless paid $4.20 to show.

The race was the first of two Grade 3 Southwest Stakes. With 21 entrants, Oaklawn split it into two divisions - the first time a Kentucky Derby prep has been split since 1993.

The first of the two races, the eighth on a 10-race card, had a field of 11. The second was scheduled to begin 30 minutes after the first, with another Baffert-trained colt, Secret Circle, the likely favorite.

Castaway held up his end for Baffert in the first race, going out quickly with Majestic Stride despite starting from the 11th gate. Castaway remained near the front of the pack into the second turn of the mile race, but he pulled away down the stretch and won by 3 3/4 lengths.

``I thought he won pretty easy,'' Bejarano said. ``I was right where I wanted to be, especially at the end.''

Oaklawn's series of Kentucky Derby prep races continues with the $300,000 Rebel Stakes on March 13 and the $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 15.