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.
