As much as Thoroughbreds turn a year older on Jan. 1, some things stay the same. Like the quest for Triple Crown glory. The newly turned 3-year-olds at Oaklawn Park will get their chance to chase Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifying points in Saturday’s Smarty Jones Stakes where 10-5-3-2-1 points will be distributed to the top five finishers. The race is named for the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner who won three stakes at Oaklawn en route to the starting gate at Churchill Downs. Mystik Dan, who won the 2024 run for the roses, finished fifth in the last edition of the Smarty Jones.
1. Kale’s Angel (2-1): He’s coming off a 5 ¾-length victory in blazing fast time in a stakes while racing on dirt for the first time, but that was at 5 ½ furlongs. His only other win was at five furlongs on turf. Has enough speed to be dangerous but seems like a risky play at this distance and a low morning…
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