Far Right skips along rail to win Smarty Jones Stakes

Hot Springs, AR (SportsNetwork.com) – Far Right, ridden by Mike Smith, rallied along the inside to capture Monday’s $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The Smarty Jones, named for the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champ, is a prep race for the Arkansas Derby on April 11. It’s followed by the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 16 and the Rebel on March 14, and is part of the Kentucky Derby points system.

Trained by Ron Moquett, Far Right broke from the inside post as the 5-2 second pick in the nine-horse field to 11-10 favorite Mr. Z. Mr. Z and 50-1 longshot American Sailor set the pace in the mile stakes.

Far Right scooted along the rail the entire race and was able to rally from off the pace coming into the stretch. Mr. Z had taken command coming into the stretch but drifted out badly with a furlong to run.

Taking advantage of the favorite’s troubles was Far Right who surged along the rail to post a 1 3/4-length win over 5-1 fourth choice Bayerd. Mr. Z held on for third.

Private Prospect finished fourth followed by American Sailor, Hebbronville, Paid Admission, Lucky Player and Runaway Bling.

The time for the Smarty Jones was 1:38.43 on a fast track.

Far Right, owned by Robert LaPenta and Harry Rosenblum, recorded his first stakes win in his 3-year-old debut. The chestnut colt picked up 10 points on the way to the Kentucky Derby on May 2. Far Right earned $90,000 with the win and has banked $245,766 from seven starts.

The colt was second his first two times out last year and found the winner’s circle last September at Churchill Downs. He followed with a fourth in Belmont Park’s Futurity on Oct. 5 and three weeks later was third in the Street Sense Stakes back at Churchill. Far Right was third in the Delta Downs Jackpot on Nov. 22 behind Ocho Ocho Ocho with Mr. Z second.

Far Right returned $7.40, $4.00 and $2.60. Bayerd paid $4.60 and $2.60, and Mr. Z paid $2.40 to show.

Categorized in: Horses