Mourinho arrives for Smarty Jones

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Mourinho was among a planeload of 17 horses that arrived Wednesday in Arkansas from California, according to Oaklawn spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyt. He is expected for the $150,000 Smarty Jones for 3-year-olds on Monday.

Hoyt said the flight also included Sonneteer, entered in the Fifth Season on Friday, as well as eight horses for trainer Peter Miller, five for trainer Tom Van Berg, and two for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope said the Smarty Jones also could draw Arched Feather, Bode’s Maker, Cat Daddy, and Combatant.

◗ Patrons returning to Oaklawn will be greeted by a new display, general manager Wayne Smith said. “We have created an American Pharoah Park at the south entrance of our property,” he said. “Basically, it’s going to change the entrance to Oaklawn. It’s a statue Charles Cella commissioned, and that statue is what we’re going to feature as you walk up in our main entrance. It’s going to be something.”