The prestigious $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park marks the beginning of the 2025 Kentucky Derby trail for three-year-olds. This event honors the undefeated 2004 Kentucky Derby champion and features a field of eight colts and geldings competing over a distance of 1 1/16 miles. Renowned experts Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis analyze the contenders, highlighting their potential and past performances.

Promising Performers in the Field

Several horses stand out as strong contenders in this year's Smarty Jones Stakes. Kale’s Angel, trained by Peter Miller, has shown impressive speed on dirt, earning the highest Brisnet Speed rating in the field. Meanwhile, Mo Quality, under Christopher Davis, demonstrated tactical speed with a professional victory in his second start. Hot Property, guided by Brad Cox, set an easy pace in his debut and finished strongly, earning the highest late-pace figure in the field. Coal Battle, trained by Lonnie Briley, remains undefeated on dirt, showcasing resilience and talent despite some greenness.

Kale’s Angel began his career on turf but found success when switched to dirt, winning the Advent Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths. His pedigree suggests stamina, though he must prove he can handle longer distances. Mo Quality, son of Mo Town, showed promise with a decisive win after starting from behind. Hot Property, son of Medaglia d'Oro, displayed remarkable composure and speed, finishing 3 3/4 lengths ahead of his rivals. Coal Battle, son of Coal Front, has won two stakes races on dirt, besting formidable opponents like Jolly Samurai and Mister Omaha. Each horse brings unique strengths to the race, making the outcome unpredictable.

Contenders to Watch Closely

Beyond the top contenders, several other horses merit attention. Optical, trained by Keith Desormeaux, showed grit in overcoming adversity and gutting out a narrow win. Bon Temps, under Wayne Lukas, demonstrated potential despite a slow start, while Curvino, trained by Peter Miller, finally broke through in a maiden claimer. These horses, while less favored, could surprise with the right conditions.

Optical, bred for distance, has proven resilient, finishing strong even when faced with challenges. Bon Temps, although inexperienced, showed promise in his last outing, making up ground despite a poor start. Curvino, after seven attempts, secured his first win in a high-priced claiming race, suggesting untapped potential. While these horses may not be the favorites, they possess qualities that could make them competitive under the right circumstances. The Smarty Jones Stakes promises thrilling competition, with each contender bringing unique attributes to the track.