Kentucky Derby 2019 Points Race Recap: Grey Attempt Steals Smarty Jones

Gray Attempt stretched out successfully and made all of the running in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Friday, January 25. 

The Smarty Jones started with a 9-horse field, and there figured to be an early battle between Gray Attempt and Jack Van Berg, but the latter scratched, and the first Oaklawn Park Derby points race of the year was a parade with the three early runners dominating throughout. 

1st - Gray Attempt: The Sugar Bowl winner proved that he could handle a flat mile while setting moderate fractions in the Smarty Jones. He gamely held on by a neck but I am not sold on his chances as distances increase, especially if he is challenged early. 

2nd - Long Range Toddy: Saved all of the ground stalking the pace from the inside post and was not quite able to overhaul Gray Attempt. The Remington Springboard Mile hero is a solid competitor but I do not think that he wants to travel much farther. 

3rd - Boldor: He ran a solid race throughout but the lack of pace really helped his cause. He could end up being a decent sprinter when all is said and done. 

4th - Six Shooter: Raced evenly throughout while failing to threaten the top three finishers. 

5th - Sleepy Eyes Todd: Trying two turns for the first time in his second career start was too big an ask, and he was not disgraced in his first start since 10-27-18. 

6th - Bankit: Was last early and did not get any pace to chase. The beaten 3-2 favorite passed a couple of tired horses in a flat effort. The Springboard Mile runner-up would have beaten his stablemate Long Range Toddy in that race with a better trip. He is clearly better than this but the New York-bred does not look like a Derby horse at this stage. I would consider playing him next time if he is in a race with pace to chase. 

​7th - Super Steed: Is looking more and more like a one-hit wet track wonder for Larry Jones. 

8th - Forloveofcountry: Made a middle move before retreating to last. He is an okay performer on turf or a wet track. 

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Gray Attempt capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.

​You can read all of my Derby blogs on my Kentucky Derby 2019 page, and my annual Triple Crown full card analysis from Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park will be available on my Runaway Horse Sales page later this spring.