Oaklawn Park: Tanzanite Cat kicks clear in Smarty Jones

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Tanzanite Cat was one of the more promising 3-year-olds brought to town by Oaklawn Park leading trainer Cody Autrey for the new season, and the horse proved his quality Monday, winning his stakes debut in the $150,000 Smarty Jones.

Tanzanite Cat ($20.20) was always prominent and in the stretch fought for a 1 1/4-length win over Walt in the one-mile race run before a crowd of 12,582. For the win, Tanzanite Cat earned 10 preference points toward the Kentucky Derby under a system administered by Churchill Downs, while runner-up Walt picked up 4, third-place finisher and favorite Coastline earned 2, and fourth-place finisher Son of a Preacher, 1.

For Autrey, 34, the win was the biggest of his training career, which was launched in late 2000.

Tanzanite Cat broke well and volleyed the lead with Walt. Tanzanite Cat was up by a length through and opening quarter in 23.17 seconds, and Walt was responsible for a half-mile in 47.37 and six furlongs in 1:12.31. Tanzanite Cat moved to challenge on the final turn, regained the lead in the stretch and covered the one-mile trip, which ended at the sixteenth pole, in 1:38.69.

“He’s a very nice horse, an easy horse to ride,” said Norberto Arroyo Jr., who was aboard the winner for owners James and Ywachetta Driver.

“He’s just a fighter,” Autrey said.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Autrey said the next start for Tanzanite Cat is to be determined. The Drivers have recent debut winner Paganol on deck for Oaklawn’s next stakes in the 3-year-old series, the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest over 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 17. Autrey said Tanzanite Cat was suited to the distance of Monday's race, but “as far as a mile and a sixteenth and further, we’re leaning on Paganol.”

Tanzanite Cat, a son of Graeme Hall, was a $150,000 purchase as a 2-year-old in training last April at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. He picked up $90,000 for the win Monday, his second from three starts. Tanzanite was bred in Florida by Charles H. Deters and Dr. John Peterson.