Mrazek, Smokey Image square off in Real Good Deal Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Mrazek has a reputation to solidify, and Smokey Image has a reputation to restore in the $150,000 Real Good Deal Stakes on Wednesday at Del Mar. Both stakes winners are qualified to win the seven-furlong stakes, though none is sharper than Mrazek.

Mrazek’s most recent start was a decisive victory against older horses in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes, a win that cemented his status as the top 3-year-old California-bred sprinter. Mrazek drops Wednesday into a California-bred stakes restricted to 3-year-olds.

While the form of Mrazek is conspicuous, the form of Smokey Image is muddled. After winning the first six starts of his career, an ambitious 3-year-old campaign sputtered. Four starts against open company produced only a third in a Grade 3 sprint. Smokey Image on Wednesday will face California-bred competition for the first time since a romping stakes win in January.

“We’re going back to doing what he does; he’s where he should be,” trainer Carla Gaines said. “His form is awfully good against Cal-breds, but it’s not an easy race.”

All 10 nominated to the Real Good Deal entered, including the stakes winners Tough It Out and Gold Rush Dancer and allowance winners Tribal Fighter and Taman Guard. Family Code, Packin Heat, Boy Howdy, and Tough But Nice also entered.

Smokey Image is returning to a track where he won both of his starts last year for his former trainer, Greg James. “He seems to run very well on this dirt course, and his breeze down here would just curl your hair,” Gaines said.

Real Good Deal Stakes

KEY CONTENDERS

Mrazek, by Square Eddie
Last 3 Beyers: 89-72-94

◗ The only subpar effort by Mrazek was his only start outside of California in June at Belmont Park, where he was unplaced in a Grade 2 sprint. Seven starts by Mrazek in California have produced seven first- or second-place finishes.

◗ Mrazek is versatile. He rallied from next to last to win his most recent start; he set the pace in two other wins. Mario Gutierrez rides Mrazek for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Smokey Image, by Southern Image
Last 3 Beyers: 87-87-48

◗ Smokey Image seems to be returning to form. He finished third in a Grade 3 sprint two starts back and missed by only 1 1/4 lengths last out in a turf-route stakes.

◗ Although Smokey Image is working well, Gaines would prefer that he had more size. “I can’t keep weight on him. I would like him to have about 100 more pounds,” she said.

Tough It Out, by Grazen
Last 3 Beyers: 84-85-76

◗ His closing style is complemented by an abundance of pace in this race. Tough It Out rallied from next to last to win a sprint stakes in April. However, Tough It Out is compromised by a surface that favors speed. Four races at this meet at seven furlongs were won by a front-runner, and 31 of the 34 sprints were won by a horse within two lengths of the lead after the opening quarter-mile.

Tribal Fighter, by Tribal Rule
Last 3 Beyers: 85-88-38

◗ Possibly the speed of the speed, the knock on Tribal Fighter is that he is wheeling back only 17 days after his most recent win, having set the pace in a fast California-bred allowance.

Taman Guard, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 88-68-87

◗ He led gate to wire last month in a California-bred allowance, his second win in three starts.