Just Call Kenny pointing to Smarty Jones

Just Call Kenny, sixth in the Haskell Invitational and second in the Long Branch Stakes in two starts following a six-month layoff, is under consideration for the Grade 3, $300,000 Smarty Jones at Parx on Sept. 1, according to trainer Patrick McBurney. The Smarty Jones, at one mile and 70 yards, is the local prep for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 20.

“He bounced out of the Haskell good,” McBurney said. “We’re kind of looking at taking him to the Smarty Jones at Parx now.”

Just Call Kenny was beaten 10 lengths in the Haskell by Bayern but only 2 3/4 lengths for second.

Just Call Kenny’s layoff was necessitated by a condylar fracture following his 2 1/4-length win in the six-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January. He has one work since the July 27 Haskell, an easy half-mile in 52.40 seconds at Monmouth on Aug. 8.

“We let him do an easy half the other day, but he galloped out in 1:15,” McBurney said. “We try to put a little air into him in his gallop-outs because he is running two turns now.”