Road to the Kentucky Derby > Smarty Jones Stakes
Smarty Jones Stakes Race Facts
- Location: Oaklawn Park Racetrack, Hot Springs, AR
- Inaugural Race: 2008
- Distance: One mile
- Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
- Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds
- 2023 Purse: $250,000
- 2023 Race Date: Sunday, January 1st
The Smarty Jones Stakes was inaugurated in 2008 in order to honor one of the best horses of recent memory. It is a one mile race at Oaklawn Park and serves as a precursor to both the Louisiana and Arkansas Derbies, as well as a stage on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. It currently offers a purse of $250,000.
2023 Smarty Jones Stakes Race Results
| POST | HORSE | JOCKEY / TRAINER | WIN / PLACE / SHOW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Victory Formation | Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox | $3.20 / $2.80 / $2.20 |
| 7 | Angel of Empire | Joseph Talamo / Brad H. Cox | $8.60 / $4.00 |
| 6 | Denington | Francisco Arrieta / Kenneth G. McPeek | $3.60 |
| 4 | Western Ghent | Cristian A. Torres / D. Wayne Lukas | |
| 2 | How Did He Do That | Isaac Castillo / Steven M. Asmussen | |
| 5 | Ten Days Later | David Cabrera / Kenneth G. McPeek | |
| 3 | Communication Memo | Ricardo Santana, Jr. / Steven M. Asmussen | |
| 1 | C. J's Storm | Nik Juarez / John Haran |
Exotic Payoffs:
- $1 Exacta (8-7) Paid: $15.40
- $0.50 Trifecta (8-7-6) Paid: $35.70
- $0.10 Superfecta (8-7-6-4) Paid: $102.16
Watch the 2023 Smarty Jones Stakes
History of the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park
The namesake of this race is one of the most beloved of this generation. During an electric season in 2004, Smarty Jones won the Count Fleet, Southwest, Rebel and Arkansas Derby on a warpath that eventually saw him secure the Kentucky Derby as a 3/1 favorite, and then the Preakness Stakes. He would fall second to Birdstone in the Belmont as his Triple Crown dream was shattered. It was his only loss during a brilliant, nine-race career where he went 8-1-0 and was recognized as the 2004 U.S. Champion 3 Year Old.
Uncontested set the speed record for this challenge while claiming victory in the 2017 renewal. His time of 1:36.32 was the first and only to break the 1:37.00 barrier. Unfortunately, this was the only win of Uncontested’s career.
To date, the Smarty Jones Stakes has yet to produce a winner in any of the three American Classics. Will Take Charge is perhaps the most successful competitor to have won the Smarty Jones, winning in 2013 before placing 8th, 7th and 10th in the Triple Crown.
Caleb’s Posse scored in the 2011 Smarty Jones Stakes and skipped the Triple Crown, but capped off that season by winning the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile over Shackleford and Tres Borrachos.
Far Right won the 2015 Smarty Jones and then went on to claim the Southwest Stakes, before losing the Arkansas Derby to American Pharoah. The two would meet again in the Kentucky Derby, but American Pharoah would win out as a favorite as Far Right fell all the way back to fifteenth.
All Time Results for The Smarty Jones Stakes
| Year | Winner | Jockey / Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Victory Formation | Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox | 1:38.1 |
| 2022 | Dash Attack | David Cohen / Kenneth G. McPeek | 01:39.4 |
| 2021 | Caddo River | Florent Geroux / Brad H. Cox | 01:38.2 |
| 2020 | Gold Street | Martin Garcia / Steve Asmussen | 01:39.6 |
| 2019 | Gray Attempt | Shaun Bridgmohan / William H. Fires | 01:36.9 |
| 2018 | Mourinho | Drayden Van Dyke / Bob Baffert | 01:37.3 |
| 2017 | Uncontested | Channing Hill / Wayne M. Catalano | 01:36.3 |
| 2016 | Discreetness | Jon Court / William H. Fires | 01:38.1 |
| 2015 | Far Right | Mike E. Smith / Ron Moquett | 01:38.4 |
| 2014 | Tanzanite Cat | Norberto Arroyo Jr. / Cody Autrey | 01:38.7 |
| 2013 | Will Take Charge | Jon Court / D. Wayne Lukas | 01:38.6 |
| 2012 | Junebugred | Joe Bravo / Steve Hobby | 01:38.5 |
| 2011 | Caleb's Posse | Eusebio Razo Jr. / Donnie K. Von Hemel | 01:43.1 |
| 2010 | Dryfly | Calvin Borel / Lynn S. Whiting | 01:41.7 |
| 2009 | Flat Out | Julio A. Garcia / Charles L. Dickey | 01:39.2 |
| 2008 | Liberty Bull | Eusebio Razo Jr. / Thomas M. Amoss | 01:38.2 |