Oaklawn: Humble Smarty hardly acts like a 9-year-old in Nodouble Breeders' victory

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Humble Smarty, under Alex Birzer, is now 2 for 2 to start off his 9-year-old campaign after easily taking the Nodouble Breeders' for Arkansas-breds.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Humble Smarty is now 2 for 2 as a 9-year-old after drawing clear by 4 1/4 lengths in the $60,000 Nodouble Breeders’ at Oaklawn Park on Sunday. Star North finished second in the six-furlong race for Arkansas-breds, while it was another length back in third to Breckenridge. 

Humble Smarty made his first start of the year last month at Oaklawn, and won a six-furlong optional claimer in 1:10.60, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 94. He returned to action in the Nodouble, broke well, and was pressed by Toga’s Storm through an opening quarter of 22.24 seconds. Humble Smarty ($4.40) shook his pace rival on the turn, continued to lead through a half-mile in 46.11, and darted home under Alex Birzer, covering the distance in 1:11.19.

“He likes this track a lot and he’s been showing that in the mornings with his bullet works,” said Jerry Donaldson, who trains Humble Smarty for Brett Creighton. “He’s a nice older horse.”

Creighton played a key role in raising Humble Smarty, whose dam died right after giving birth to the horse. The Nodouble was the fourth career stakes win for Humble Smarty, who began his career in July 2006 at Louisiana Downs. The horse won his maiden in his fifth start, against Arkansas-breds at Oaklawn in February 2007.

Humble Smarty earned $36,000 for the win Sunday. He has now won 17 of 70 starts and $492,133. Creighton said the horse could target a sprint stakes at the upcoming Will Rogers Downs meet in Claremore, Okla., the $50,000 Clem McSpadden Memorial Route 66 on April 23. 

* Jockey Calvin Borel, who is returning from a wrist injury, remains one win shy of career victory 5,000 after his three mounts at Oaklawn on Sunday failed to win. He is named to ride one horse here Thursday, in the seventh race for trainer Lon Wiggins.

* There is a $23,825 pick six carryover for Thursday at Oaklawn.