2014 Southwest Stakes Results: Tapiture pulls away from Strong Mandate

Tapiture pulled away from his rivals at the top of the Oaklawn Park homestretch en route to a four-length victory over post time favorite Strong Mandate in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes. In the process, Tapiture picked up 10 points towards a spot in the starting gate in the 2014 Kentucky Derby on May 3rd at Churchill Downs. Strong Mandate, the post time favorite at even money odds, raced wide for much of his run around the course, made a move coming off the far turn to put away most of the field, but could not reel in the winner at the wire. Ride On Curlin finished third under jockey Calvin Borel, while Coastline won the photo for fourth to complete the superfecta.

Tapiture is a three-year-old colt by leading sire Tapit out of a Olympio mare (Free Spin), trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Ricardo Santana, Jr. The Southwest is the second graded stakes victory of Tapiture's career following up on his victory in the G2-Kentucky Jockey Club last November.

Below are the payouts, fractions and internal splits for the Southwest Stakes.