$147,000 Smarty Jones Stakes; one mile; Oaklawn Park; Jan. 15, 2018 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Mourinho, by Super Saver Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke Owner: Phoenix Thoroughbred III Beyer Speed Figure: 99 MOURINHO struck another blow for the quality of California-based 3-year-olds by shipping in to win this race, just two days after Instilled Regard went to Fair Grounds and made off with the Lecomte. This was the first two-turn test for Mourinho, who has now won twice and finished second twice in four starts. He’s a perfectly useful colt, but I’m not sure he’s going to thrive when asked to take on the division’s leaders, and I’m still not sure if he wants much more than a mile. This was a pretty easy race for him, as he got loose on the lead and was facing a soft bunch, with helped produce a lofty Beyer Figure. I’ll be interested in seeing if Mourinho can reproduce that fig when facing more pace pressure going long and against better competition, as his previous best was 90. He may have freaked this day owing to optimum circumstances. Hence, for now, I’m circumspect. The main takeaway from this race, though, might very well be that it illustrated the quality of Greyvitos, who is sidelined and a longshot to even make the Derby. Greyvitos beat Mourinho in the Bob Hope at Del Mar, then won the Springboard Mile at Remington, in which COMBATANT was second. Mourinho and Combatant finished one-two in the Smarty Jones, and were well clear of their three rivals. In this race, Mourinho used his natural speed to take the lead around the first turn, then showed maturity by rating kindly for Van Dyke, with his ears forward, a sure sign he was going well within himself. As the field neared the far turn, he began to widen on his opposition as TAP DADDY came under a ride. He entered the lane with a commanding lead, received a couple of light taps to keep him focused, and cruised home as best. Combatant, who was second, saved ground from his rail draw and was third around the first turn. He got a bit aggressive during the slowly run second quarter-mile (24.76 seconds), but was going within himself heading to the far turn. He was urged along three furlongs out and was able to continue hugging the rail, might have slightly decreased the margin between he and winner through the lane, but never was a serious threat to Mourinho.  Tap Daddy, who was third, was hustled away from the gate and went into the first turn in second, just behind Mourinho. He sat in that spot to the far turn, at which point he had to be asked to try and keep up with Mourinho, which he could not do. He lost second to his stablemate Combatant midway on the far turn, and gradually faded through the lane. His best prior races have been on turf, and that’s likely what’s in his future. BODE’S MAKER, who was fourth, broke awkwardly to his right, and trailed into the first turn. He was angled to the middle of the track heading into the backstretch and wound up four paths wide heading into the far turn, was under a vigorous hand ride three furlongs out, but was not able to keep up, and got the best of ARCHED FEATHER in spirited battle to not finish last while beaten nearly 16 lengths. He needs softer company. Arched Feather, who finished last of five, went into the first turn just outside of Combatant, was three paths wide on the far turn while just inside of Bode’s Maker, had no response when asked in earnest three furlongs out, and faded. Like Bode’s Maker, he needs an easier spot. Both are eligible to first-level allowance races.