Meet the Contenders: 2024 Smarty Jones
Mystik Dan wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
December 30th, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Informed Patriot (Photo by Coady Photography)
#1 Informed Patriot ***
Pro: Barn off to a solid start this meet, and this colt looks as fast as any here.
Con: Has lost ground late in each of his starts at a mile and beyond.
#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. 🇺🇸
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 22, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/UQ7kiV2RX5
Catching Freedom at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#2 Catching Freedom ****
Pro: Rough trip fourth when heavily favored last time and can do better.
Con: Pace doesn’t necessarily project to be as fast as he might need it to be.
#6 Catching Freedom makes his debut a winning one in R4 under the Twin Spires for trainer @bradcoxracing with @flothejock aboard! 🎓
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 1, 2023
The 2-year-old colt is by @WinStarFarm stallion Constitution.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/BdxEZHaI0X
Oaklawn Park - Coady Photography
#3 Lagynos ****
Pro: Won debut on grass but dirt proved no hindrance in allowance win over this distance.
Con: Like several others, has had no exposure racing or working over this strip.
#5 Lagynos gets the job done in R3 at Churchill Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen with @jrosariojockey in the saddle! 🏇
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 25, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/Ebch4wVxCJ
Mystik Dan wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#4 Mystik Dan ***
Pro: Impressively won second out and perhaps wheeled back too quickly last time.
Con: Might ultimately prove more effective around one turn.
Oaklawn Park - Coady Photography
#5 Mo Winning **
Pro: Impressively drew off to win debut by four lengths, albeit against lesser at Remington.
Con: Tough spot in which to make stakes and two-turn debut.
Gettysburg Address (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 Gettysburg Address ****
Pro: Blinkers come off after speed-and-fade performance in Street Sense (G3).
Con: Remains with upside, though price figures to be relatively low.
#6 Gettysburg Address gets the job done in R4 at Ellis Park under Martin Chuan for trainer @bradcoxracing! 🤩
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 6, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/98IOnZc11A
Just Steel (inside) edging Be You in a Saratoga maiden special weight (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)
#7 Just Steel ***
Pro: Most experienced member of the field upset stakes rivals at Churchill last time.
Con: Although a son of Justify, one-turn races has been his game so far.
#7 Just Steel upsets at 12/1 in the Ed Brown S. at Churchill Downs for trainer D. Wayne Lukas with @jrosariojockey in the saddle! 💰
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 25, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/hFX2u8wuZa
Oaklawn Park - Coady Photography
#8 Chaperone *
Pro: Son of Curlin earned belated maiden win last time; might be coming around now.
Con: Hit to the road to Oklahoma to get diploma, and not in overly convincing fashion.
Fidget (Photo by Coady Photography)
#9 Fidget ***
Pro: Versatile colt is a perfect 2-for-2 around two turns since adding blinkers.
Con: Faces tougher rivals here than he did at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
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