Spun to Run Outguns Gray Magician in Smarty Jones

BENSALEM, PA – Robert Donaldson’s hometown hero Spun to Run outgunned the invading Gray Magician in the stretch to win his first graded in event in Monday’s $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) at Parx.

Breaking from post 3 under Paco Lopez as the 3/2 favorite, Spun to Run tucked back behind early leader Bethlehem Road through fractions of :23.25, :47.36, and 1:11.99. Midway through the far turn, a gap appeared between Bethlehem Road and the pressing Top Line Growth, allowing Spun to Run to squeeze through. Behind them, Gray Magician was gearing up for a push off of the turn but was forced to run four-wide.

At the top of the stretch, Gray Magician took a slight lead over the local favorite, but Spun to Run battled back gamely inside of him, refusing to yield. The duo engaged in a dramatic stretch run that saw Spun to Run inch his head forward in the shadow of the wire for victory. The Juan Guerrero trainee completed the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track in a final time of 1:44.14.

In an exciting finish, Spun To Run gets the win over Gray Magician in the Smarty Jones Stakes @ParxRacing. pic.twitter.com/Nj3c1FOZHk

— TVG (@TVG) September 2, 2019

Gray Magician was 4 1/2 lengths ahead of Top Line Growth in third. It was another 10 lengths back to Cairo Cat in fourth, while a spent Bethlehem Road and a misfiring Majid completed the order of finish.

Spun to Run’s win was his third straight over the Parx main track and improved his overall record to 8-3-1-3. The 3-year-old son of Hard Spun, most recently third in the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), has now earned $360,520.

Spun to Run returned $5 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.10 to show. Gray Magician brought back $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show, while Top Line Growth paid $2.60 to show.