Junebugred turned a ground-saving trip into a narrow victory in the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, holding off a late run from Reckless Jerry to win by a head.
Ridden to victory by Joe Bravo and sent off as the third choice at 6-1, Junebugred got off to a good start and settled down into fourth along the rail as Laurie's Rocket, No Spin, and Jake Mo set fractions of :23.68 and :48.20. On Fire Baby, the only filly in the race and the favorite at 3-2, was on the outside four-wide in fifth, followed then by Reckless Jerry on her outside and Optimizer down in between horses.
The trio of leaders continued to show the way around the far turn, running three-quarters of a mile in 1:12.72. But On Fire Baby was on the move on the far outside, with Reckless Jerry charging too, and so five horses turned for home seperated by less than a length. And down behind them all, squeezing through along the inside, was Junebugred. The son of Corinthian displayed an excellent turn of foot that carried him into the lead in deep stretch. Reckless Jerry kept on coming on the far outside and nearly got up to win, by Junebugred held him off in the final strides for a desperate win.
The final time was 1:38.45. On Fire Baby ran extremely well to finish third, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths. Jake Mo finished fourth, followed by Laurie's Rocket, Optimizer, Copus, Prince Cheval, King Coral, No Spin, Fastestwhogetspaid, and Hard Nosed.
The $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) next month at Oaklawn Park could end up being Junebugred's next start. The Smarty Jones is the first in a series of prep races being held during the coming months at Oaklawn for the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby (gr. I)
-Keelerman
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