Hot Springs, AR
Trainer Todd Pletcher has another legitimate Kentucky Derby contender with One Liner.
The 3-year-old colt showed a powerful stretch running kick to take the Southwest Stakes Saturday at Oaklawn Park by 3 1/2 lengths.
One Liner sat fourth, behind the heavy favorite Uncontested, through quick opening fractions for the distance of :22 and :46 before taking over the lead for good down the stretch.
The son of Into Mischief ran the 1 1/8 mile race in a solid final time of 1:41 for jockey John Velazquez and returned $8.80 for the win.
Second place finisher Petrov had a perfect trip, also sitting behind Contested, but could not match strides of the winner once finding himself at the front.
Lookin At Lee completed the trifecta with a belated bid for third after encountering trouble earlier in the race. He has the pedigree to get the route game, but was no threat to the top two.
The even-money favorite Uncontested weakened to sixth after setting those quick opening fractions.
Pletcher said he was pleased with One Liner's run and said anything is on the table for his next race.