The Grade 3 Southwest Stakes has come a long way since the turn of the century. As recently as 2005, the Southwest was an ungraded stakes with a $100,000 purse. Now the 1 1/16-mile event is a Grade 3 worth $750,000, and it’s also a Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve prep race awarding qualification points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 split.
