Lecomte and Smarty Jones Stakes Review

Lecomte Stakes (Grade 3)

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Oxbow – This was a big time performance!  You have to consider him a serious threat from here on out.  It’s still very early, but this was the most impressive race of the three-year old season by far.

Golden Soul – Really none of the others in here showed much of anything, but Golden Soul did get pretty far behind and closed well for second.  Certainly not a horrible performance for a horse making only his third start, but not Derby quality quite yet.

Fear the Kitten – He also closed pretty well to finish third, but the thoughts are the same as Golden Soul…didn’t show enough to get you excited about Derby possibilities

Ive Struck a Nerve – Yet another closer that was able to go past tiring horses.

Malibu High – Stalked for most of the race, but was empty down the lane.  Usually a sign of distance limitations.

Circle Unbroken – When the trainer says the horse might not be quite a 100% yet, it’s usually a bad sign.  Out of them all he has the most potential to run a better race next time out.  Fitness level should be better.

Heitai – Chased Oxbow for much of the race, but faded badly in the stretch.

Avie’s Quality – Just didn’t seem to like the dirt all that much.  Perhaps Keeneland would be a nice spot for him to try this kind of company again.

Hawaakom – Was never involved from the start.

Smarty Jones Stakes

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Will Take Charge – This is an intriguing prospect when looking at blood lines, and now he’s put together two back to back solid races.  The colt should get better with added distance, and I love how he dug in to win the Smarty Jones.  That may have been the best quality he has shown so far…the will to win.  He reminds me of a less talented Shackleford at this point.  Big long chestnut who is tough and runs along near the front.

Texas Bling – He proved more in this second place effort than he did in winning the Spring Board Mile at Remington.  You have to wonder when his pedigree might catch up with him, but right now he looks like he at least belongs in the Derby discussion.  He was very game down the stretch of the Smarty Jones.

Always in a Tiz – This is one to watch next time out.  He has a tough go of it on the final turn, but was flying late and probably would have won the race if it were just a little longer.  This was just his third lifetime race, and would probably be my pick if the same horses showed up to run in the Southwest.

Stormy Holiday – When watching the replay you see this horse make a monster move on the turn, but he flattened out late to finish fourth.  You can consider him to be somewhat of a wild card moving forward, but its hard for me to be too excited about him yet.  Maybe a one turn sprinter or miler?

Brown Almighty – It certainly was a disappointing day for Brown Almighty, but I wouldn’t give up on him just yet.  The more I watch the replay, the more I dislike the trip he got.  I’m also hearing he may have had a lung infection.  I wouldn’t bet him next time out, but maybe he deserves one more shot at dirt.

Officer Alex – This one looked like he has distance limitations.  He was pretty much in the perfect spot coming into the stretch and just stopped.

Avare – Speaking of stopping, Avare really spit the bit entering the final turn.  Doesn’t look like he’s Derby quality.

Best of Birdstone – Out-classed against these.  Will be looking for him in State bred company later in the year.

King Henny – Suspected he might be a sprinter, and he showed that he is with this race.