Speed King wires Southwest; Take Charge Milady romps in Martha Washington

Jan 25, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Speed King lived up to his moniker in Saturday's $1 million Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park, scoring in gate-to-wire fashion in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series while the betting favorites generally endured far more eventful trips.

Breaking from post 9, Speed King rushed to take the lead entering the first turn. Meanwhile, the top three betting choices were all at the back of the field after the opening quarter. Patch Adams, the 4-5 favorite, showed little of the speed demonstrated at Churchill Downs last fall. Second choice Gaming was checked early along the inside, and third choice Sandman spotted the field several lengths after an awkward start.

Speed King was pressured down the backside a bit by Bon Temps, who was one of two maidens in the field, but eventually shook clear of that rival and longshot American Promise to open up a commanding lead in the stretch. Sandman ran a relatively remarkable race, given his early position, and was able to whittle down the winner's margin to one length at the end.

Under Rafael Bejarano, Speed King covered 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:45.86 and paid $30.60. He races for Triton Thoroughbreds and is trained by Ron Moquett.

Sandman finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Tiztastic, who edged Patch Adams for third by a head. The latter hung late after making a bid on the far turn. The order of finish was rounded out by Monet's Magic, Publisher, American Promise, Gaming, and Bon Temps.

This was the second win in three starts for Speed King, who captured his debut last November at Churchill Downs by 2 1/4 lengths going six furlongs. He was subsequently second in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park, beaten a half-length by Coal Battle. That rival went on to capture a second Derby series prep in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn earlier this month.

Speed King earned 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, increasing his total to 25. Sandman earned 10 points and now has a total of 14. Tiztastic increased his total from eight to 14, Patch Adams earned four points, and Monet's Magic garnered two points.

Sold for $100,000 at OBS last April, Speed King is by Volatile and out of Athenian Beauty, by Corinthian.

Trainer Kenny McPeek has another Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender going through Oaklawn after Take Charge Milady dominated the $300,000 Martha Washington S. earlier in the card.

Making her stakes debut in the 1 1/16-mile Martha Washington following a four-length maiden win at Oaklawn on Jan. 5, Take Charge Milady headed 1-2 favorite Quietside approaching the turn for home and drew away down the stretch to win by 5 3/4 lengths under Julien Leparoux.

Quietside was a clear second in the strung out field, finishing three lengths ahead of Legal Empress. Gowells Delight faded to fourth, while Adeera trailed throughout.

McPeek, who saddled Thorpedo Anna to an Oaks win last year after taking the Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn, conditions Take Charge Milady for a partnership that includes his wife Sherri, James Ball, and Kenneth Rhodes.

Take Charge Milady, who finished up 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.81, has now won two of four starts. She earned 20 Oaks qualifying points for the victory.

Quietside, who has now finished second of third in all four stakes attempts, earned 10 points, boosting her total to 20 points. Legal Empress earned six points, Gowells Delight four points, and Adeera two points, increasing her total to four.

A $60,000 Keeneland September buy, Take Charge Milady is is by Take Charge Indy and out of Price Too High, by Scat Daddy.