Discreetness pulls off upset of Smarty Jones

Jan 19, 2016 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Discreetness, a 9-1 shot ridden by Jon Court for his father-in-law, trainer 'Jinks' Fires, posted a minor upset in Monday's $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn. Victory in the one-mile Kentucky Derby (G1) prep was worth 10 qualifying points as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

A tracking third through the opening six furlongs as longshot Gordy Florida and 3-5 favorite Toews On Ice traded leads, Discreetness came under a ride from Court around the far turn. Entering the short stretch, Gordy Florida had put away Toews On Ice and taken a brief lead, but Discreetness soon came alongside to challenge and gradually wore down that rival to win by a neck.

Completing the distance in stakes-record time of 1:38.05 over a fast track, Discreetness paid $20.20. Gordy Florida held second over Synchrony, with Luna de Loco fourth. Toews On Ice weakened to sixth.

Owned by Xpress Thoroughbreds, Discreetness has now won four of six career starts. This was the son of Discreet Cat's second consecutive stakes win, having taken the $250,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park on December 13. The winning margin and price, a neck and 9-1, were the same as in the Smarty Jones.

Bred in Kentucky by Trackside Farm and Tenlane Farm, Discreetness brought $105,000 as an OBS March juvenile. He's now earned $282,122 from his 6-4-0-0 record.

(Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)