Kangaroo Court takes the sensible route in I'm Smokin Stakes

There are two stakes options on dirt at Del Mar this weekend for the 2-year-old gelding Kangaroo Court – Friday’s $125,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for California-breds at six furlongs or Sunday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs.

While the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity is rated as the championship for the division at the summer meeting, Kangaroo Court would be an outsider in that field. So, Kangaroo Court has been entered in the I’m Smokin Stakes, where he will be favored to win for the second time in his third start.

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“It’s a good stepping-stone,” trainer Tim Yakteen said earlier this week. “It’s about progression.

“We’re taking the conservative route.”

And the more sensible one. Kangaroo Court, bought for a mere $7,500 as a yearling in Arizona last November, starts in the I’m Smokin Stakes on the strength of a win by 14 1/2 lengths in a maiden special weight race for statebreds on Aug. 20. He was favored at 1-5 in the 5 1/2-furlong race.

Owned by George Sharp, Kangaroo Court starts from the rail in the I’m Smokin and has seven rivals. The I’m Smokin Stakes is the seventh race on an eight-race program that begins at 3 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

With an inside draw, there is no suspense regarding the tactic jockey Abel Cedillo will use on Kangaroo Court. The gelding set the pace in his two starts, including a game second in a maiden special weight race for statebreds at five furlongs on July 22.

“Because of our post, it doesn’t give us much of an option except to go,” Yakteen said. “He’s fast enough to go.”

Kangaroo Court could face early pressure from Straighten Up, who was second in the Graduation Stakes for statebreds at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 12. He set the pace to the final furlong before losing by a length to The Big Wam, a Del Mar Futurity candidate.

The I’m Smokin field drew Good N Thirsty and Hacking It Up, who were well beaten when third and fourth in the Graduation Stakes. Their best chances in the I’m Smokin Stakes hinge on whether a rapid pace develops in the first half of the race and the front-runners tire.

Trainer John Sadler starts the debut runner Moon Ice, who has worked quickly. Flavien Prat, who won four races at Del Mar last Saturday, has the mount and will ride at Del Mar through the weekend.

A quick pace would help Giver Not a Taker, who drew the outside post. Trained by Peter Miller, Giver Not a Taker won a maiden race for statebreds at 5 1/2 furlongs by 7 3/4 lengths on Aug. 14.

Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., who has the mount Friday, Giver Not a Taker was third early and took the lead in early stretch.

“He’s a stalker,” Miller said. “He’s tactical, but he’s not a burner. The post is really good.”

“He’s got to improve. Hopefully, there is a pace setup.”