Silverton Hills' Great Notion made Saturday's featured $75,000 Southwest Stakes, in front of a crowd of 16,910 at Oaklawn Park, his showcase. The 3-year-old son of Elusive Quality set all the pace under jockey Terry Thompson and had plenty left when challenged by Alke and Comic Truth at the head of the stretch, pulling away to a nine-length trouncing.Great Notion, a Triple Crown nominee, toured the one-mile distance over the "good" track in 1:38.4, winning for the third time in four career starts for trainer Darrin Miller. The speedy bay took his career earnings to $98,860 with the winner's share of $45,000 on Saturday and will now be the likely favorite for the $125,000 Rebel Stakes at a 1 1/16 mile at Oaklawn on Mar. 22. Comic Truth, the favorite in the field of seven 3-year-olds, never got closer than a length and finished third. Great Notion paid $8, $5 and $3,20. Alke, who passed Comic Truth in the stretch, returned $4.40 and $3.40. Comic Truth was $2.40 to show.
(Chart, Equibase)