What are the Smarty Jones Stakes?
The Smarty Jones Stakes is a Grade 3 horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It serves as a prep race for the prestigious Kentucky Derby, often attracting up-and-coming talent.
The event is named after Smarty Jones, the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, who was also the pride of Pennsylvania. For fans of online horse betting, this race is a popular early-season wager.
When are the Smarty Jones Stakes held?
The Smarty Jones Stakes will take place on January 4th, 2025. This race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, where horses can earn qualifying points for a spot in the Derby starting gate.
Fans of online horse betting can take advantage of this event as it marks the beginning of Oaklawn Park’s racing season.
Smarty Jones Winners
Several notable winners have left a mark on the Smarty Jones Stakes. Older winners like Will Take Charge (2013), who went on to become an Eclipse Award Champion, and Flat Out (2009), a multiple Grade 1 winner later in his career, stand out.
Caleb's Posse (2011) later won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. These champions highlight the race’s historical significance and make it a prime event for online horse betting.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2024 | Catching Freedom | Cristian A. Torres | Brad H. Cox | Albaugh Family Stables | 1:44.59 |
| 2023 | Victory Formation | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | Spendthrift Farm & Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc. | 1:38.14 |
| 2022 | Dash Attack | David Cohen | Kenneth G. McPeek | Catalyst Stable, Madalena Racing, Kevin Pollard and Patty Slevin | 1:39.44 |
| 2021 | Caddo River | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Shortleaf Stable | 1:38.19 |
| 2020 | Gold Street | Martin Garcia | Steven M. Asmussen | Mike McCarty | 1:39.63 |
The Smarty Jones Stakes offers an excellent opportunity for online horse betting, as it is one of the early races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Bettors can watch emerging talent and place bets on horses that may be contenders in major races later in the year. The race's competitive field and history of producing top-tier talent make it a must-watch for betting enthusiasts.
