Sent to post as the even-money favorite in the field of 12 sophomore colts, it was the Bob Baffert-trained Newgrange who finished on top in Saturday's Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The son of Violence took a wide trip under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, but had enough left in the tank to defeat his nearest rival Barber Road (11-1) by about 1 1/2 lengths. Newgrange completed 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:45.83, but did not earn points toward the Kentucky Derby for his victory due to the ban imposed on Baffert by Churchill Downs.
Newgrange is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm LLC.
Bred in Kentucky by Jack Mandato and Black Rock Thoroughbreds, Newgrange is out of the unraced Empire Maker mare Bella Chianti. He was a $125,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling sale, won on debut and captured the G3 Sham before shipping to Hot Springs. Undefeated in three career starts, the colt's earnings now stand at over $550,000.
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