Old Fashioned is highly regarded as the early favorite for this years Kentucky Derby after winning all three of his 2 year old races. His most impressive performance was in last years Remsen Stakes on November 29 at Aqueduct in which he made an easy lead from an outside post and completely dominated the field by controlling the pace through each quarter mile.

He makes his seasonal debut in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes tomorrow at Oaklawn Park when he heads a field of 11 three year olds in the one mile race which has consistently produced highly regarded derby hopefuls including Smarty Jones, Lawyer Ron, and others.

Old Fashioned will be making his first start as a three year old in the Southwest and unlike other Derby hopefuls this will be his fourth race on a conventional dirt track. His sire is Unbridled’s Song who finished fifth in his Kentucky Derby try but his grandsire, Unbridled, won the 1990 Derby.

Since arriving in Hot Springs from the Fair Grounds, Old Fashioned has worked two bullets and trainer Larry Jones is looking for a big race from him. Ramon Dominguez has the return call as they face a solid group of three year olds including Silver City, winner of the Dixieland Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs over the Oaklawn track.

The Oaklawn track plays to horses that are close and who can get into contention early. Old Fashioned is that kind of horse. If you’re going to run a mile and you have positional speed then there is no better place to run. Silver City has exceptional speed and will also benefit over the surface. He’ll be the likely pacesetter and will test Old Fashioned throughout. Miguel Mena has the mount on Silver City and should set the fractions going longer in the Southwest.

It’s still early but after tomorrow we’ll know whether Old Fashioned can handle pace pressure as he continues on the road to the Triple Crown.

Photo: Jeff Coady/Coady Photography