Super Steed the Smarty Jones selection for January Road to the Derby Bonus cash

He was the even-money favorite to win the $74,000 Sugar Bowl at Fair Grounds on December 22, but instead of asserting his superiority in the six-furlong dash he finished a nondescript fourth, beaten seven lengths by the victorious #8 GRAY ATTEMPT. Given what he had previously shown in Kentucky, that was a dull try from #3 SUPER STEED (9-2), our selection to rebound in Friday's $150,000 Smarty Jones [Click for FREE Brisnet past performances] at Oaklawn Park. The Smarty Jones is the final mandatory play in TwinSpires.com's January Road to the Derby Bonus Cash offer. Bet $20 to Win on a single horse in the Smarty Jones and earn bonus cash if the horse finishes in the top four, thereby earning Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Trained by Larry Jones, Super Steed debuted at Keeneland on October 25. The 2-1 favorite, he lost a stretch battle with #5 BOLDOR by a head, but he got a significant measure of revenge the following month at Churchill Downs when beating Boldor by six lengths in a first-level allowance in the slop. There might have been a valid reason for the aforementioned dull performance by Super Steed in the Sugar Bowl. "He was a little puny," Jones told Oaklawn publicity in late December, adding he was considering scratching the colt that day. The Sugar Bowl has turned out to be a solid race. The second- and third-place finishers, Manny Wah and Hog Creek Hustle, both earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points when placing in last week's Lecomte (G3) back at Fair Grounds. Super Steed has never raced two turns, but is a son of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, who also happened to finish second by a neck in that year's Arkansas Derby (G1). Super Steed's dam is a half to Grade 1 winners Majestic Harbor and Danza. The latter won the 2014 Arkansas Derby and finished third in the Kentucky Derby. Super Steed looks very capable with a return to his best in the Smarty Jones.