Study Guide: 2024 Smarty Jones Stakes

Dec 30, 2023 J. Keeler Johnson

The New Year’s Day racing schedule is highlighted by the $300,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park, a 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 10-5-3-2-1 points to the top five finishers.

Let’s meet the nine talented three-year-olds slated to compete in the first Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race of 2024:

Informed Patriot

Start(s): 4

Wins: 1

Place: 0

Show: 2

 

Owner: J. Kirk and Judy Robison

Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Whisper Hill Farm

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

 

Top Speed Rating: (88) when finishing third in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Total Earnings: $108,000

 

Sire: Hard Spun

Dam: Yawkey Way

Color: Dark bay/brown

#8 Informed Patriot hangs on to break his maiden at second asking in R5 at Churchill Downs! The 2-year-old colt was piloted by @Tyler_Gaff and is trained by Steve Asmussen. 🇺🇸

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/UQ7kiV2RX5

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 22, 2023

Informed Patriot already has experience on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, placing third in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs. But he finished third again when dropping in class for a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs, so Informed Patriot may need a step forward to challenge for top honors while rejoining the Derby trail.

Catching Freedom

Start(s): 2

Wins: 1

Place: 0

Show: 0

 

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables

Breeder: WinStar Farm

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Cristian Torres

 

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing fourth in a Churchill Downs allowance optional claimer.

Total Earnings: $75,350

 

Sire: Constitution

Dam: Catch My Drift

Color: Bay

#6 Catching Freedom makes his debut a winning one in R4 under the Twin Spires for trainer @bradcoxracing with @flothejock aboard! 🎓

The 2-year-old colt is by @WinStarFarm stallion Constitution.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/BdxEZHaI0X

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 1, 2023

Catching Freedom ran into homestretch traffic when finishing fourth in a $100,000 allowance optional claimer racing 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs last month. Even in defeat he earned a sharp 90 Brisnet Speed rating, tied for the highest number posted by any Smarty Jones entrant in a route race. Victory is within reach for Catching Freedom, who sold for $575,000 as a yearling.

Lagynos

Start(s): 3

Wins: 2

Place: 0

Show: 1

 

Owner: HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud

Breeder: Robert Spiegel

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Joel Rosario

 

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing third in a Churchill Downs allowance optional claimer.

Total Earnings: $175,660

 

Sire: Kantharos

Dam: Steamy

Color: Chestnut

Lagynos finished half a length ahead of Catching Freedom when third in the above-mentioned $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs, albeit while receiving a better trip than his rival. But that disclaimer aside, Lagynos followed up with victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance at Churchill, cementing his status as a key contender in the Smarty Jones.

#1 Lagynos breaks his maiden on debut in R7 at Kentucky Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen, and giving @cristiantorr64 a riding double! 🤩

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/IKwLzlWwG7

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 10, 2023

Mystik Dan

Start(s): 3

Wins: 1

Place: 1

Show: 0

 

Owner: Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, and Daniel Hamby III

Breeder: Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby, and 4GRacing

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

 

Top Speed Rating: (94) when breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs.

Total Earnings: $91,310

 

Sire: Goldencents

Dam: Ma’am

Color: Bay

Mystik Dan unleashed a sharp turn-of-foot to dominate a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs by 7 3/4 lengths, earning a flashy 94 Brisnet Speed rating. But he subsequently faded to finish fifth (6 1/4 lengths behind third-place finisher Informed Patriot) in a fast-paced $100,000 allowance optional claimer racing one mile at Churchill. Mystik Dan has talent, but it’s possible he prefers sprinting.

Mo Winning

Start(s): 1

Wins: 1

Place: 0

Show: 0

 

Owner: John Holleman and Randy Howg

Breeder: Reece Racing

Trainer: Robertino Diodoro

Jockey: Harry Hernandez

 

Top Speed Rating: (81) when winning his debut at Remington Park.

Total Earnings: $20,043

 

Sire: Mo Town

Dam: Infinite Grace

Color: Dark bay/brown

Mo Winning was sharp when debuting in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Remington Park, tracking the pace before taking over to win by four lengths. But the 81 Brisnet Speed rating he received looks a little light against the Smarty Jones field.

Gettysburg Address

Start(s): 2

Wins: 1

Place: 0

Show: 0

 

Owner: Siena Farm and WinStar Farm

Breeder: WinStar Farm

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

 

Top Speed Rating: (84) when finishing fourth in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Total Earnings: $50,600

 

Sire: Constitution

Dam: Jojo Warrior

Color: Bay

Gettysburg Address already has experience on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, having finished fourth after setting the pace in the Street Sense. Gettysburg Address was beaten 7 1/4 lengths (and finished three lengths behind Informed Patriot), but the track was sloppy that day. He won his debut over a fast track and may rebound if he encounters dry footing at Oaklawn Park.

#6 Gettysburg Address gets the job done in R4 at Ellis Park under Martin Chuan for trainer @bradcoxracing! 🤩

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/98IOnZc11A

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 6, 2023

Just Steel

Start(s): 7

Wins: 2

Place: 1

Show: 1

 

Owner: BC Stables

Breeder: Summerhill Farm

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Jockey: Ramon Vazquez

 

Top Speed Rating: (97) when breaking his maiden at Saratoga.

Total Earnings: $240,795

 

Sire: Justify

Dam: Irish Lights

Color: Bay

With seven starts under his belt, Just Steel is the most experienced horse in the Smarty Jones field. He enters off a decisive victory in the 6 1/2-furlong Ed Brown S. at Churchill Downs and owns Brisnet Speed ratings of 97 and 96, the two highest numbers in Monday’s field. But Just Steel’s lone start over 1 1/16 miles saw him fade to finish sixth in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Was the Grade 1 competition too fierce, or did the distance trip him up? It’s hard to know for certain, which makes Just Steel something of a wildcard in the Smarty Jones.

#11 Just Steel takes R2 at Saratoga for "Coach" D. Wayne Lukas with @JRosarioJockey in the saddle! 🤩

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ORc1d4ffFa

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 5, 2023

Chaperone

Start(s): 4

Wins: 1

Place: 0

Show: 1

 

Owner: H. Gus King

Breeder: Tommy Town Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Ron Moquett

Jockey: Keith Asmussen

 

Top Speed Rating: (79) when finishing third in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.

Total Earnings: $34,755

 

Sire: Curlin

Dam: It Tiz Well

Color: Chestnut

A beautifully bred son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin out of Cotillion (G1) winner It Tiz Well, Chaperone is bred for stardom. But he’s 0-for-2 running 1 1/16 miles and has yet to crack the 80 Brisnet Speed rating plateau, so he’ll need improvement to challenge in the Smarty Jones

Fidget

Start(s): 3

Wins: 2

Place: 0

Show: 0

 

Owner: Calumet Farm

Breeder: Dixiana Farms

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Martin Chuan

 

Top Speed Rating: (82) when winning a Horseshoe Indianapolis allowance.

Total Earnings: $42,340

 

Sire: More Than Ready

Dam: Tinabud

Color: Dark bay/brown

After battling to a tenacious victory in a one-mile maiden special weight over the Horseshoe Indianapolis turf course, Fidget switched to the dirt and comfortably won a one-mile allowance over the same track. He’s progressing in the right direction for two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox and can’t be counted out of the mix.