The Smarty Jones Stakes is a 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.
The Smarty Jones Stakes will take place on January 3rd. 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.
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.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Strategic Risk | Javier J. Castellano | Mark E. Casse | 1:45.60 |
| 2025 | Coal Battle | Juan P. Vargas | Lonnie Briley | 1:46.43 |
| 2024 | Catching Freedom | Cristian A. Torres | Brad H. Cox | 1:44.59 |
| 2023 | Victory Formation | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | 1:38.14 |
| 2022 | Dash Attack | David Cohen | Kenneth G. McPeek | 1:39.44 |
| 2021 | Caddo River | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | 1:38.19 |
| 2020 | Gold Street | Martin Garcia | Steven M. Asmussen | 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.
