Gould's Gold catches Just Step On It late in Smarty Jones Stakes

Gould’s Gold became a stakes winner Saturday when he pushed past pacesetter Just Step On It in the late stages for a three-quarter-length victory in the $200,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Racing.

Just Step On It was a clear second, finishing 1 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Uncle Heavy.

The Smarty Jones anchored a card that featured six stakes worth a cumulative $725,000. The races are expected to produce starters for the Pennsylvania Derby Day card on Sept. 21.

Gould’s Gold ($4.40) was content to track Just Step On It through fractions of 25.11 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.94 for the half-mile and 1:13.83 for six furlongs. He worked his way past the leader in the stretch, and covered 1 1/16 miles on a track rated fast in 1:45.55.

Emmanuel Esquivel was aboard for trainer Kenny McPeek.

“It looks like he got a good trip,” co-owner Lance Gasaway said in a post-race interview broadcast by Parx Racing. “Emmanuel - we couldn’t have asked for a better ride. He got out there and relaxed him and he did his thing on the end.”

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Gasaway said it was a “possibility” that Gould’s Gold could return for the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby.

Gasaway, who is based in Arkansas, is partners in Mystik Dan, the winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby. Trainer Ken McPeek prepped Mystik Dan for the Derby in stakes at Oaklawn Park. It was the same route Smarty Jones used 20 years ago when he won the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones was celebrated throughout the Saturday card at Parx and his co-owner, Pat Chapman, and his trainer, John Servis, presented the trophy to the connections of Gould’s Gold.

Gould’s Gold’s full ownership is Gasaway, Four G Racing and Magdalena Racing. The son of Goldencents ran second in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby earlier this year, and also was edged by a nose in the Sir Barton at Pimlico. He has now won 2 of 8 starts and has earned $358,250.

Four G Racing also is a partner in Mystik Dan.

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