Smarty Jones Stakes

It was a foggy day at the Oaklawn race track, so much so that announcer's only comments as the horses moved around that backstretch were "your guess is as good as mine folks" or "its really anyones race."  The fog was so thick you could only see that horses as they were already half way down the homestretch. The fog gave the cold day a haunting look that made the horses magically appear running their hearts out.

I was there to watch the Smarty Jones Stakes: three year olds. no nomination fee. $500 to pass the entry box and $1000 additional to start with $100,000 Guaranteed of which 60% to the Owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth, and 2% to be divided equally among the remaining starters.  Weights: 122 lbs. Non-winners of $30,000 twice allowed 3 lbs.;$30,000 once 5 lbs.; $15,000 once 7 lbs. (Maiden and Claiming races not considered.) In Allowance Stakes starting preference will be given to horses that have accumulated the highest earnings excluding money won in restricted races. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. The owner of the winner to receive a trophy. Nominations closed Wednesday, January 12,2011 with 33 nominees.

The Smarty Jones stakes was the 8th race of the day. Before I get into the race I found it ironic that a son of the named 8th race (Double Threat) won the earlier (7th) race. Too bad he was four and ineligible for racing in the Smarty Jones Stakes itself.

My favorites going into the race were Dreaminofthewin and Archarcharch.
- Dreaminofthewin (out of Successful Appeal) was raced 3 times in 2010, winning twice and placing once, twice at a mile, ridden by Luis Quinonez

- Archarcharch (out of Arch) was only raced 2 times prior finishing first and second, this was the longest he had been raced, Jon Court has ridden him both previous times and was up on him again

The field also included: 

- Caleb's Posse 

- Bluegrass Bull

 

- Grant Jack

 

- Make it Roses

- Bonaroo

And then they were off!

Under the wire!

And it was Caleb's Posse first with Dreaminofthewin on his heels, Bluegrass Bull got the show, followed by Archarcharch. The final time was 1:43.0 for the mile.

Calvin Borel was having a good weekend at Oaklawn, being in the money 14 times.

Larry Jones was also there it was cool to see him there

Sadly my camera was not a huge fan of the foggy day, hopefully next time God will bless us with some good sunny photogenic weather.

AND LASTLY.... congrats to my girl Zenyatta for winning horse of the year!! She definitely deserved it :)

Zenyatta and Mike Smith after winning the Apple Blossom, Oaklawn (AR)

5 months isn't too far away....

The first weekend in May always hosts one of my favorite childhood memories: The Kentucky Derby.  Growing up so many girls find themselves enamored by the world of horses, at some point in their lives I think all girls add a pony to their Christmas list, beg their mothers for riding lessons and spend long afternoons galloping around the backyard on the back of their "trusty mount" which in reality strongly resembles a broom, yard stick or some other four-legged stand in.

Usually as the years go by the pony dreams are slowly replaced by other obsessions: boys, make up, summer romances, school dances.... However for a few of these girls the love of horses never gets outgrown, I have always been one of these girls. So as I grew older my fascination grew from cheering in front of the TV one Saturday afternoon in May to excitedly researching months in advance to find potential contenders.

Somewhere along the way a favorite will present itself to me and I will wholeheartedly support my new equine crush. Sometimes it is the underdog story that captures me, sometimes its the tall favorited mount, sometimes its the trusted trainer that I find myself falling back on, and sometimes its the jockey who holds so much of the race's outcome in his hands that obliges me to devote my loyalty (*cough* Mike Smith *cough*).

For the last couple of years I have been lucky enough to live within driving distance of Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR to be able to experience the world of horse racing up close and personal. I love going to the races, arriving early and watching the morning workouts, looking around at all the interesting characters that are also track junkies, and being able to meet so many amazing people.

I realize that May is 5 months away and starting a countdown to the derby might be slightly premature but I can barely control my excitement, so here we go. The following are Kentucky Derby Prospects I will be watching over the next couple of months not really in any order yet:
 - Uncle Mo: owned by Repole stable, trained by Todd Pletcher, he had an impressive win in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, He is out of a sprinter and some doubt he can be a strong contender in the longer races but I think is he on his way to proving himself with the win at the Churchill Downs in November. He is rumored to be starting his 3 year old season at the Tampa, FL track (in the Tampa Bay Derby 3/12/11).

- Sway Away: owned by Batman Stable, trained by Jeff Bonde, he is mostly on this list because of his daddy (Afleet Alex) who was one of my favorites, I'm excited to see what he does, so far only raced once with a second place finish. He is rumored to be running in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park (1/30/11). Eventually they are looking at the Santa Anita Derby later on in the season.

photo from gradedstakes.com

- Jaycito: owned by Zayat Stable, trained by Bob Baffert, Mike Smith has been up on him lately, although he finished 7th in the Breeder's cup juvenile, he usually comes in 1st or 2nd. They are looking into having him race in the Santa Anita Derby later on in the season.

Some races to watch:
- Smarty Jones Stakes (Jan. 17) Oaklawn AR
- Holy Bull Stakes (Jan 30) Gulfstream FL
- Rebel Stakes (Mar. 19) Oaklawn AR
- Louisiana Derby (March 26) Fair Grounds LA
- Illinois Derby (April 2) Hawthorne IL
- Santa Anita Derby (April 2) Santa Anita CA
-  Florida Derby (April 3) Gulfstream FL
- Wood Memorial (April 9) Aqueduct TX
- Arkansas Derby (April 16) Oaklawn AR