Smokey Image transferred to Gaines, targets California Cup Derby

Smokey Image, the undefeated winner of four sprint stakes in California, has been transferred from trainer Greg James at Golden Gate Fields to Carla Gaines at Santa Anita by owners and breeders Robert and Betty Irvin.

On Friday, Gaines said Smokey Image has been in her barn for a little less than a month and is in light training. She said Smokey Image’s exercise schedule will intensify in coming weeks, with the goal of a start in the $250,000 California Cup Derby for California-breds at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 30.

California Chrome won the 2014 California Cup Derby as part of a campaign that led to him being named Horse of the Year that season.

Gaines said the California Cup Derby will be part of plans for Smokey Image “depending on how fast he comes back around. He’s just started back at the track jogging for the last few days. He was just taking a little hiatus.”

Gaines said an alternative would be the $150,000 Robert Lewis Stakes against open company at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 6.

“The owners want to look at maybe going past Cal-bred company down the road and see if he has the quality for the 3-year-old classic races,” said Gaines.

Smokey Image has won five starts and earned $297,600. During the summer, he won the Everett Nevin Stakes at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting in July and the Cavonnier Juvenile at Santa Rosa in August.

Smokey Image won twice at Del Mar – the I’m Smokin Stakes for California-breds in September and the Golden State Juvenile at seven furlongs Oct. 29. Smokey Image overcame traffic to win the Golden State Juvenile by three-quarters of a length with an impressive performance.