If the interest is there, the Smarty Jones will be run in divisions

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has been known to split its prep races for the Kentucky Derby, and there’s a chance that could happen for the first points race of the coming year, the $300,000 Smarty Jones on Jan. 1.

Lou Cella, president of Oaklawn, said the track is fielding a level of interest in the race that has already warranted internal discussions about the potential for two divisions of the Smarty Jones.

“We’re talking right now about maybe splitting that race,” Cella said Thursday. “We’re talking internally, talking to connections, and feeling the temperature. We’re not going to do it if 14 horses or 15 horses [enter]. If we have 20 or more, we’ll absolutely do it.”

Cella said if the Smarty Jones were to be split when entries are taken Dec. 29, both divisions would be worth $300,000. By keeping the original purse intact, each division would award full points value toward the Kentucky Derby. The first five finishers in the Smarty Jones will earn points on a scale of 10-5-3-2-1.

“What’s fun is that it’s the year’s first points race in America for the 2024 Kentucky Derby,” Cella said. “If you’ve got a 2-year-old that’s about to be 3 and you’re scratching your head wondering if you’ve got the real deal, what a great opportunity to come to Hot Springs and try it.”

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The Smarty Jones has been held at a one-mile distance that ended at the sixteenth pole, but for the upcoming running, the Smarty Jones has been lengthened in distance to 1 1/16 miles. This year, it’s being held on a special Monday card at Oaklawn, which opens its new meet Dec. 8.

The other Kentucky Derby points races during the meet are the Grade 3, $800,000 Southwest on Jan. 27; the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel on Feb. 24; and the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on March 30. The three marquee stakes have all been split into divisions at least once at Oaklawn.

Delta lowers takeout

Delta Downs in Vinton, La., announced Thursday that it plans to reduce takeout on all pick four and pick five wagers to 12 percent. The takeout had been 25 percent.

Delta’s new takeout level will begin Wednesday, Dec. 13. The policy will be in place through the close of the meet Feb. 24. Delta races mostly Wednesdays through Saturdays.

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