Hot Springs, AR – A year after riding in his first Kentucky Derby, David Cohen could smell the roses again in 2022 with unbeaten Dash Attack, the 7-2 second choice in the program for the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds Saturday at Oaklawn.
Cohen guided Dash Attack (2 for 2) to victories in his Dec. 5 career debut and the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1, the latter Oaklawn’s first of four Kentucky Derby points races.
Cohen had never been on Dash Attack before the chestnut son of Munnings closed with a rush to capture his career debut at Oaklawn for trainer Kenny McPeek. The Smarty Jones came roughly 9 ½ years after Cohen and McPeek teamed to win the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds at Saratoga with Golden Ticket.
“That’s what David meant in the interview (following the Smarty Jones) – to circle back with Kenny – it’s great,” said Cohen’s longtime agent, Bill Castle. “After winning with Golden Ticket, to try and repeat like that, ‘Wow!’”
Dash Attack is among 12 horses entered in the Southwest, which goes as the ninth of 11 races Saturday. Racing begins at 12:02 p.m. (Central), with probable post time for the Southwest 4:22 p.m.
The projected Southwest field from the rail out: Ben Diesel, Jon Court to ride, 117 pounds, 10-1 on the morning line; Dash Attack, David Cohen, 122, 7-1; Don’tcrossthedevil, Ramon Vazquez, 117, 30-1; Kavod, Francisco Arrieta, 117, 12-1; Costa Terra, Tiago Pereira, 117, 12-1; Osbourne, David Cabrera, 117, 8-1; Ignitis, Luis Contreras, 117, 10-1; Barber Road, Ricardo Santana Jr., 117, 5-1; Classic Moment, Martin Garcia, 117, 12-1; Newgrange, John Velazquez, 122, 2-1; Call Me Jamal, Geovanni Franco, 117, 30-1; and Vivar, Florent Geroux, 119, 12-1.
Dash Attack collected 10 points for his Smarty Jones victory and ranks ninth on the official Kentucky Derby leaderboard released Sunday by Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters, with starting preference given to horses with the highest point totals earned in designated races like the Smarty Jones and the Southwest, which also offers 17 to the four finishers (10-4-2-1).
Robert Yates, Oaklawn Barn Notes
Photo: Dash Attack with David Cohen aboard/Coady Photography
