Around the Ovals – New Year’s Edition

1/1/22

Newly turned 3-year-old chestnut colt Smarten Up came flying for 2nd with jockey Anthony Salgado in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, notching four Kentucky Derby Points on Saturday for trainer Freddie Velazquez & owner Happy Tenth Stable. Smarten Up overcame a troubled start after being bumped hard, which left him back behind horses with encountering kickback for the first time. Once jockey Anthony Salgado got him in the clear, he really closed fast for a strong second 1 1/4 lengths behind winner Courvoisier, trained by Kelly Breen and ridden by Jose Ortiz. Smarten Up has been on the board in all four lifetime starts and will make his next start on February 5th in the Withers at Aqueduct. We know they are Kentucky Derby dreaming!!–

Parx -based Freddie Velazquez is a multiple graded stakes-winning trainer who saddled Private Zone to win the 2014 Cigar Mile H and is a member of the Parx Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

Danielle Gibson

Public Relations Director

Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association