Smokey Image faces tougher challenge in I’m Smokin Futurity
DEL MAR, Calif. – The outlook for Smokey Image’s career has changed rapidly in recent months.
Smokey Image won a maiden race at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting by five lengths on June 21 and made a relatively quick turnaround to win the Everett Nevin Futurity there on July 5. He extended his unbeaten streak to three races with a win in the Cavonnier Juvenile at Santa Rosa on Aug. 16.
Those victories have led Smokey Image to a new venue and his first six-figure race – the $150,000 I’m Smokin Futurity for California-bred 2-year-olds at six furlongs at Del Mar on Friday.
“He’s proven,” trainer Greg James said. “I think he deserves a chance.”
Smokey Image is part of a field of six that includes Found Money, the winner of the Santa Anita Juvenile in June, and Quorum of Joy, who was second in the Nevin Futurity.
I’m Smokin Futurity, Race 5
KEY CONTENDERS
Smokey Image (Last 3 Beyers: 88-82-69)
◗ Smokey Image has won his three races by a combined 13 1/2 lengths. In the Cavonnier Juvenile, he overcame traffic on the backstretch of the six-furlong race.
“He was trapped to the three-eighths pole,” James said. “He didn’t like the dirt in his face. He went four wide and went by them.”
◗ Owned by breeders Robert and Betty Irvin, Smokey Image is by Southern Image. A colt, Smokey Image has raced just behind the leaders in his three starts. With Carlos Dangerous, Found Money, and Xingontothebone capable of racing near the front, Smokey Image could get a favorable trip in the I’m Smokin.
“It looks like there is a lot of speed in there,” James said.
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◗ James, 65, is seeking his first stakes win at Del Mar.
Found Money (Last 3 Beyers: 62-75-65)
◗ Found Money won his first two starts, a maiden race and the Santa Anita Juvenile, before finishing fifth of six in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes here on Aug. 8. In that race at 6 1/2 furlongs, Found Money broke from the rail and set the pace to the turn before fading from contention.
“It was a time at the meet when inside speed wasn’t doing that well,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.
With a wider draw in the I’m Smokin, O’Neill is hopeful that Found Money will not face the same pressure. The race could lead to another start in a graded stakes later this year, he said.
“I think he ought to be tough,” O’Neill said. “I think he could be a graded stakes horse.”
Quorum of Joy (Last 2 Beyers: 64-58)
◗ Found Money and Quorum of Joy are both by Square Eddie and are owned by breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam, who campaigned Square Eddie.
◗ Quorum of Joy won a maiden race at Santa Anita in his debut against California-breds on June 6 but was no match for Smokey Image in the Nevin Futurity, finishing second by 6 1/2 lengths. Quorum of Joy, who could show speed, has drawn the outside post.