The Southwest Stakes may not have produced a Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner in 2025 as it did in 2024 with Mystik Dan, but with a seven-figure purse it’s no surprise the 1 1/16-mile stakes attracted a full field of 14 starters. A total of 42 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby will also be on the line, awarding them on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis to the top five finishers.

1. Reclamation: Earned his first career victory Jan. 3 in his second start. He has never competed in a race longer than six furlongs and his winning speed figure was mediocre, so this seems ambitious.

JOCKEY: Ramon Vazquez; TRAINER: Christopher Davis

2. D’code: Dominant Oaklawn Park debut winner at six furlongs Dec. 14 with a dazzling speed figure. Two turns is a question mark but he should be in front for as far as he can go.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Ray Ashford Jr.

3. Buetane: One of two starters from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has a record six wins in this race. Buetane had some trouble while chasing a fast pace and finishing second in the San Vicente but has the talent to be a factor.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

4. Rancho Santa Fe: Disappointed in the Smarty Jones Stakes here Jan. 3, finishing fifth at 2.90-1 odds. Will need take a big step forward here but picking up reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat is a good sign.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox

5. Litmus Test: Has traveled across the country and acquitted himself quite well. Was a close fourth in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and took the Los Alamitos Futurity in a fast time last time out. Shapes up as the one to beat.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

6. Circle Tap: Needed five starts to secure his first win, although it came in his first try around two turns. He’s yet to show he can post a speed figure fast enough to be a factor here.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart 

Gun Runner Stakes runner-up Liberty National (Coady Media)

7. Liberty National: Rallied to finish second in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds at this distance. Time was good and he should benefit from a quick pace.

JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

8. Spirit of Royal: Needed six races to earn his first victory. The speed figure for the win was too low to consider him in this spot.

JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart 

9. Strategic Risk: Won the Smarty Jones Stakes here while chasing a slow pace. Florida-bred should be able to sit just off the lead and pounce when asked. Looks like a major player.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Mark Casse

10. Bricklin: Was no factor in the Grade 3 Street Sense Stakes then returned Jan. 3 for a sharp, front-running win in an allowance race at Oaklawn. He figures to face a lot of company up front and may bounce off a big effort last time.

JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: Rodolphe Brisset

11. Silent Tactic: Rallied to take second to stablemate Strategic Risk in the Smarty Jones. Should be helped by the prospect of a faster pace here while making his second start on a dirt surface.

JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Mark Casse

12. Baytown Dreamer: Didn’t show much late kick when third behind the slow pace in the Smarty Jones. He was 84.30-1 that day but might be worth a look for the exotics here.

JOCKEY: Orlando Bocachica; TRAINER: Paul McEntee

Soldier N Diplomat, third in Kentucky Jockey Club (Eclipse Sportswire)

13. Soldier N Diplomat: Showed speed in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and led at the eighth pole before fading to third. He has trained nicely but might need to overcome a wide trip from this post position.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

14. Sleepingonfreedom: Was an even fourth in the Smarty Jones. The outside post position in a 14-horse field does not help his chances of taking a step forward.

JOCKEY: Emmanuel Esquivel; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

THE PICK: Litmus Test

LIVE LONGSHOT: Silent Tactic

SUPERFECTA: 5-11-9-2