Tanzanite Cat Fights His Way to a Smarty Jones Stakes Win

Tanzanite Cat Fights His Way to a Win at the 2014 Smarty Jones Stakes

The 2014 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park adds to the excitement of the 2014 Derby Trail season. The Smarty Jones featured 3-year-olds at one mile and a $150,000 purse. The race itself is not a graded race, but it’s still important as it carries Derby points. There were 10 three year olds running in the Smarty Jones Stakes and Tanzanite Cat took home the win at Oaklawn Park on Monday, January 20, 2014.

Tanzanite Cat put in a good run and fought hard for the Smarty Jones win at Oaklawn Park. Walt took second and Coastline took third place. Coastline was the favorite to win and he did run a decent race, but in the end Walt was the solid second place holder.

Tanzanite Cat, who is trained by Cody Autrey battled with Walt all along the far turn and even into the stretch, although Tanzanite Cat took an early lead, Walt and Tanzanite Cat stayed pretty even with each other, and then with just a furlong to go and just a few yards before the finish line, Tanzanite Cat stretched past Walt and took the lead for the win with a 1 ¼ lead on Walt. The time for the fast track was 1:38.69. Tanzanite Cat’s win made for a 9-1 upset.

Tazanite Cat is owned by James and Ywachetta Drive and driving Tanzanite Cat for the win was jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr. So far Tanzanite Cat has won two of three starts for a total of $123,000.  He is trained by Cody Autrey, and The Smarty Jones serves as the 11th win in the first eight days of racing at Oaklawn.

The Smarty Jones is the first of four major classic preps for three year old horses held at Oaklawn Park, and it all leads to the excitement at the Kentucky Derby. This win also gives Tanzanite Cat some major Kentucky Derby buzz, with 10 points toward a Kentucky Derby berth.

Related Links:
Oaklawn Park Fashion

2014 Smarty Jones Stakes Results and Payouts
8-Tanzanite Cat, $20.20 to Win, $8.40 to Place, $5.60 to Show
6-Walt, $8.00 to Place, $4.40 to Show
10- Coastline, $2.80 to Show
Also ran were: 4- Son of a Preacher , 3– Fire Starter , 5– A Step Ahead , 9– Unstoppable Colby , 7– Denali Rahy Ruler , 1- D’cajun Cat , 2 – Whyruawesome

Smarty Jones 2014 Replay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m48TlGHug8