A six-day delay of the $250,000 Southwest Stakes caused trainer Jim Barnes to look for a new jockey, and some new clothes, before the rescheduled race on Saturday.

None of those changes affected Conveyance one bit.

Conveyance surged out to an early lead and never looked back to win at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

“It was what it was, Barnes said with a shrug of the nearly weeklong delay. “It was just something we had to deal with.

Conveyance made it look just as easy as Barnes made it sound.

The winner of the $100,000 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita, Conveyance was to have had Garrett Gomez aboard for the race on Presidents Day. Gomez had another commitment so Martin Garcia was aboard the Bob Baffert-trained horse and he won for just the second time in his career.

Conveyance paid $5.60, $4 and $3.40. Dublin, ridden by Terry Thompson, returned $5 and $4.20. The show price on Cardiff Giant, with Christian Santiago Reyes aboard, was $8.60.

The 45th running of the one-mile race was originally scheduled for Monday, but a frozen track cut that days racing short.

Barnes, an assistant to Baffert, had originally planned to be in Arkansas for only a few days, but the weather changed his and his horses plans.

With the race pushed back, Barnes stayed in Arkansas, but hadnt packed enough clothes to carry him through the trip.

His solution was a simple one.

“I just went shopping, he said. “I went to Dillards.

The delay didnt affect the 10-horse field for the Kentucky Derby prep race, but it did shuffle the order. Conveyance was originally scheduled to go from the second position, but on Saturday raced out of the ninth position. It didnt seem to bother Garcia or Conveyance.

Conditions at the track were fast and weather wasnt an issue Saturday with a mostly sunny sky and temperatures in the 50s at race time.

Dryfly, who had Calvin Borel aboard, was an early favorite and is owned by Oaklawn owner Charles Cella, but finished a disappointing ninth and stopped in the drive.

The Southwest was the 10th race on Saturday, and came after the $60,000 Spring Fever Stakes, a sprint for fillies and mares. It was won easily by One Smokin Lady.

Oaklawns series of Kentucky Derby prep races continues with the $300,000 Rebel Stakes on March 13 and the $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 10. The track has rescheduled the $5 million Apple Blossom to April 9 so it can feature Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.

Oaklawn Park postponed the $250,000 Southwest Stakes because of freezing conditions Monday, putting off the Kentucky Derby prep race until this weekend.

Track announcer Terry Wallace said the mile race for 3-year-olds will be held Saturday. It will be redrawn on Thursday and entrants on the card Monday could opt out. He said there could be some jockey changes because of prior commitments.

The race was to have featured a trio of top finishers from the $100,000 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita and a promising mount belonging to Oaklawns owner among the 10-horse field.

Conveyance was the 5-2 favorite on Monday, but the race was called off after jockeys said conditions were deteriorating.

“The track was starting to ice up. It (the ice) was balling up, it was flying back and hitting the jockeys, Wallace said. “A couple had broken goggles.

After a delay following the fourth race, the track canceled its final six races.

Wallace said the scheduled $60,000 Spring Fever for older fillies and mares will go on as scheduled on Saturday, but the Southwest Stakes will be the feature race.

Despite the frigid weather, the track was packed Monday with Presidents Day patrons. Attendance wasnt immediately available.

Oaklawns series of Kentucky Derby prep races continues with the $300,000 Rebel Stakes on March 13 and the $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 10. The track earlier rescheduled the $5 million Apple Blossom to April 9 so it can feature top fillies Rachel Alexander and Zenyatta.

Sidneys Candy soared back into the Kentucky Derby picture Monday night with a victory over Tiny Woods and Classical Slew in Santa Anitas 69th running of the seven-furlong $150,000 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Sidneys Candy matched strides early with trainer Bob Bafferts Tiny Woods before leaving his rival behind 4 1/4 lengths when crossing the wire in 1:20.91, the second-fastest running in a race that has served as a proving ground for nine Kentucky Derby champions.

“I was confident hed bounce back with a good effort today, Talamo said. “I couldnt believe that final time. Thats awesome. Its very exciting to have a horse of this caliber.

Tiny Woods, after chasing Sidneys Candy through fractions of 22.77, 45.50 and 1:08.62, held second by 1 3/4 lengths over Classical Slew in the field of seven. Bafferts other entrant, 5-2 second choice Quiet Invader, finished fifth.

Sidneys Candy paid $6.20, $3.60 and $2.40. Tiny Woods, ridden by Victor Espinoza, returned $3.80 and $2.60. The show price on Classical Slew, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, was $4.

Sidneys Candy generated high expectations following a dazzling maiden victory last summer at Del Mar, but he stumbled through a disappointing comeback performance in an allowance event on Dec. 30 at Santa Anita, ending fourth in a five-horse field at odds of 3-5 following four months on the sidelines while sore shins healed.

Sidneys Candys trainer John Sadler said he wasnt sure what would be next for the homebred son of Candy Ride.

“The reason I didnt want to go into an allowance race is because of the graded earnings for the big stuff, Sadler said in a reference to the Kentucky Derby. “Hell be going around two turns next time, thats for sure. Which one of those races it is, we dont know yet.

The victory in the San Vicente was worth $90,000 to Sidneys Candy, which lifted his total to $133,560 from a 2-1-0 mark in four starts. Tiny Woods had beaten him by a head in his first start on July 25 at Del Mar and again when victorious in the comeback effort.

Also on Monday, Tuscan Evening captured her eighth victory in 12 U.S. starts in Mondays co-feature, the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap, while defeating 35-1 longshot Eissoai by 2 1/4 lengths and covering one mile on turf in stakes record time of 1:33.47.

The 5-year-old Irish-bred mares U.S. record became 8-1-2 in 12 starts for earnings of $626,555, including the Buena Vistas winning share of $90,000. She had arrived with $92,851 in the bank while still a maiden.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to make her first start of the year on March 13 at the Fair Grounds in a new race called the New Orleans Ladies.

The 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares will have a $200,000 purse, and will be used as a prep for Rachel Alexandras highly anticipated showdown against unbeaten Zenyatta in the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational on April 9 at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

“That is our intended goal, Rachel Alexandra owner Jess Jackson said. “I believe shes on schedule and shell get the prep race before she goes on to Oaklawn. There are other tracks that have offered to have us go, but right now wed rather stay here.

Although Rachel beat out Zenyatta for Horse of the Year, the two have never competed against each other on the track. Rachel Alexandra went 8-0 last year, including her win in the Preakness Stakes and against older males in the Haskell and Woodward. Zenyatta is 14-0 overall and capped last season with a stirring victory in the Breeders Cup Classic.

Zenyatta will make her first start of the year on the same day in the Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita in California. The tune up races are 27 days before the Apple Blossom.

“Were obviously thrilled by the news that Rachel Alexandra, already a legend based on her accomplishments last year, intends to make her 2010 debut at Fair Grounds, track vice president Eric Halstrom said. “We are already working to make sure March 13 will be a special day befitting of racing royalty.

Fair Grounds added the race to the schedule last fall in the hopes that Rachel Alexandra would run. Shes worked the past two weekends, including a half-mile breeze on Saturday, even though the region has been pelted by rain.

“Its not anyones fault, but with the rain and track conditions its been a serious setback to Rachels routine, Jackson said. “Shes behind schedule and that means were compressed to try to get everything done and keep her on schedule leading up to works and preparing for a major competition at Oaklawn.

The owner of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra says his filly wont run against Zenyatta in a $5 million race in Arkansas, but hes proposing a three-race series in which the leading ladies will meet.

Jess Jackson says he has been in discussions with the president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and hopes details can be worked out with the owners of Zenyatta.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Jackson says if training and racing schedules as well as purse money can be worked out, the three races would rival the Triple Crown.

Jerry Moss, who co-owns Zenyatta with his wife Ann, was surprised by Jacksons announcement, and told The Associated Press: I have no idea what hes even talking about. Which three races? And where? And when?

A week ago, Oaklawn Park said it would boost the purse of the Apple Blossom on April 3 to $5 million from $500,000 if both horses competed.

Its a shame they are not going to show up for that race, Moss said in a telephone interview with the AP. In the meantime, theres some plan here, to run in three races, to which were supposed to respond to, and we havent even been consulted about it. So, I dont know what Im supposed to say.

Moss did say Zenyatta remains on schedule to run in the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita on March 13, and then the Apple Blossom.

Then well see whats next, Moss said, adding that the goal is to run in the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5-6. The Breeders Cup is something I honor. I believe thats where championships are decided.

Jackson, meanwhile, said he believes a series of races is the way to go, although he did not mention any races or racetracks he had in mind for the series that would conclude in November.

The fans have spoken. The media has spoken. Everyone wants to see Rachel race against Zenyatta - including me, Jackson said. In fact, I want it to happen several times this year.

The two champions have not met on the racetrack, and Rachel Alexandra beat out Zenyatta in voting for Horse of the Year.

Jacksons proposal calls for a three-race series that would conclude in November, the same month as the Breeders Cup.

Hopefully, these discussions will take place at the earliest possible time so that we can announce something that will give the fans a season to remember, Jackson said.

NTRA president Alex Waldrop said he supports any effort to put together a race featuring the sports biggest stars.

The NTRA will continue to do everything possible to facilitate a meeting or series of races between champions Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, he said in a statement. We look forward to further discussions with the connections of both horses.

Jackson passed on an invitation to the Apple Blossom because Rachels trainer Steve Asmussen said the 4-year-old filly would not be in top form. Jackson said he asked for the race to be moved back a week, but Oaklawn officials declined the request.

Out of respect for the level of competition and the importance of this race, I have told Mr. Jackson it was not in the best interest of the horse to race on April 3, Asmussen said. Getting to this level of fitness after a six-month layoff takes time. If all goes according to schedule, and we do not have any further weather delays, the earliest we could have a prep race would be the middle of March. It is then not fair to Rachel to ask her to race again three weeks later.

Rachel won all eight of her starts last year, including victories against males in the Preakness Stakes, the Haskell Invitational and the Woodward Stakes. She was the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness.

Zenyatta was perfect in 09, too, and improved her career record to 14-0 by becoming the first female to win the Breeders Cup Classic.

The trainer ofEightyfiveinafifty says his 3-year-old colt has received 14 stitches to repair a cut suffered after crashing through the outer rail during the running of the $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes.

Gary Contessa said Sunday that Eightyfiveinafifty should return to training in a week after the frightening incident at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday. The colts rider Jorge Chavez was unseated and shaken up, but is expected to return to riding Wednesday.

Contessa says that “we have absolutely dodged a bullet with the colt.

Eightyfiveinafifty was the 3-10 favorite in the early prep on the road to the Kentucky Derby. The colt went extremely wide on the first turn and unseated Chavez when he crashed through the outer railing and jumped another fence. He suffered a two-inch cut on his right hind leg.

Peppi Knows won the race.

Eclipse Award winners Lookin At Lucky and She Be Wild lead a field of 366 3-year-olds nominated to the Triple Crown races, while Todd Pletcher returns to the head of the trainers list with 20 nominees.

With the economy still shaky, the number of horses nominated to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes is down for the third year in a row. Its nearly a 9 percent drop from the 401 nominated in 2009.

However, eight fillies, including 2-year-old champion She Be Wild, were nominated - twice as many as last year. Perhaps their owners were motivated by the success of Rachel Alexandra, who became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness.

The list of early nominations was released Sunday by Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on behalf of the tracks hosting the Triple Crown races.

“Our nomination total is down a bit, but the 366 horses on the roster represents as deep a field of quality prospects as weve seen over the years, Donnie Richardson, Churchills senior vice president for racing, said in a statement.

The nominees include 324 colts, 30 geldings, eight fillies and four ridglings.

Three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert trains 2-year-old male champion Lookin At Lucky and ranks among the top trainers with 13 nominees. Among his other contenders are Conveyance and Tiz Chrome.

Pletcher leads all trainers for the fifth time in the last six years. Among his nominees are Eskendereya, Rule and Super Saver. Hes looking for his first Derby winner.

One horse to keep an eye on is Lentenor, a full brother to ill-fated 2006 Derby winner Barbaro. With the same owners (Roy and Gretchen Jackson) and trainer (Michael Matz) as Barbaro, the bay colt won his first start this year.

Back on the trail in a big way is Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, winner of 13 Triple Crown races. Hes second with 19 nominees, including Hopeful Stakes winner Dublin.

John Sadler is third with 16, followed by two-time Derby winner Nick Zito with 15, Baffert (13) and Richard Mandella with 11. Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandras trainer Steve Asmussen, who led the pack last year with 25 nominees, has six this time.

Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable leads all owners with 12 nominees, which include horses trained by the big three of Baffert, Lukas and Zito. WinStar Farm LLC is next with 10.

Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed continues his Derby quest with his Godolphin Racing operation nominating eight horses. Among them is Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York.

The early nominating fee was $600. A late nomination fee of $6,000 ends March 27.

Lookin At Luckys lone loss in six starts came in the BC Juvenile, when he was beaten by a head by Vale of York. The colt rebounded from the defeat with a win in the CashCall Futurity on Dec. 19. She Be Wild won the BC Juvenile Fillies, and it remains to be seen whether owner Nancy Mazzone would consider her star for the Triple Crown races.

Vale of York is one of 17 overseas nominees.

Ahmed Zayat, who led all owners the past three years, nominated just two horses after recently filing for bankruptcy protection in New Jersey.

The shackles are finally coming off Alan Kings mighty string and rival trainers should beware a flood of winners. This impression was emphasised at a drizzly Taunton yesterday, not just by the victory of Whistlejacquet but by the conspicuously positive mood of the trainer.

Such was his blue sky thinking, as he ran lucidly through his leading Cheltenham candidates, that King referred to Mill Reef, an amusing slip of the tongue that might just indicate his lofty opinion of the Triumph Hurdle favourite, Mille Chief.

Months of torment from mysteriously sick horses have given way only gradually to the normal, prolific business of Barbury Castle. Even last weekend, King had to withdraw Karabak from the Cleeve Hurdle after a dirty scope, though he insisted yesterday this was not connected to our problems before Christmas.

While Karabak heads straight to the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, King is finding final pre-Festival targets for his key novices. The Betchworth Kid, deprived a run at Doncaster last Saturday, is pencilled in for Kempton a week on Friday and Salden Licht for the same track a fortnight later.

Mille Chief, meanwhile, could make a surprise reappearance at Huntingdon in the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle tomorrow week. We were originally going to wait for the Adonis at the end of the month but if that was off wed be snookered, King explained. This gives me a clear month before Cheltenham.

King is still without Robert Thornton, his stable jockey, who sustained back injuries a week ago. Hes been having physio and seeing the doctor again today, the trainer said. While hes out, its good to be giving opportunities to Wayne Hutchinson, who is riding with a lot of confidence.

Hutchinson will be aboard Oh Crick in the featured Blue Square Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Saturday, provided the horse works satisfactorily today. He also survived the stumble of Whistlejacquet at the second-last to add another string to the yards enviable hand in Festival novice hurdles.

The same cannot be said of the days most impressive winner. Voramar Two travelled sweetly and outstayed such high-profile opponents as Valentine Vic and Cappa Bleu in the style of a progressive hurdler.

However, Philip Hobbs, his trainer, confessed: The Cheltenham novices closed this morning and I didnt put him in. His previous form didnt warrant it but he now looks a natural for the three-miler.

Cappa Bleu, reverting to hurdles after a heavy fall in the Hennessy Gold Cup, delighted Evan Williams, his trainer, by finishing second. It was a bad fall and this has got him back on track, he said.

The defeat of Valentine Vic added to a frustrating afternoon for the champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, until Ruby Walsh won the concluding bumper on Rock On Ruby, named in his honour. He also schooled Denman this morning and was delighted with him, Nicholls said. It might give him a decision to make.