Synchrony Heads for Smarty Jones Stakes

Synchrony Heads for Smarty Jones Stakes

The impressive two-year-old Synchrony, who won a 7 1/2-furlong allowance race at Churchill Downs last time out, is expected to make his next start in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on January 18th.

On December 17th, Synchrony gave the track at Oaklawn a test run, breezing five furlongs in 1:02 4/5. He breezed again on the morning of December 24th, going five furlongs in a quicker 1:01 2/5.

According to the Oaklawn Report for December 19th, Synchrony’s trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel decided to give Synchrony a rest after his allowance win in order to prepare for the Oaklawn meet.

“We thought three races [as a two-year-old] was sufficient,” Von Hemel was quoted as saying. “We wanted a good, sound horse for Oaklawn.”

The Oaklawn Report also noted that Von Hemel’s unbeaten colt Secret Passage has been sidelined with a “minor physical setback” and is not expected to run during the Oaklawn meet, making a Kentucky Derby bid unlikely. But on a brighter note, Von Hemel’s colt Suddenbreakingnews–who finished second in the Remington Springboard Mile last time out–has arrived at Oaklawn Park and is a possible starter for the February 15th Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to sign up for email newsletters and special offers from The Turf Board!

Follow J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman"):

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, blogger, videographer, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. He lives in Wisconsin and also writes for the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners.

Comments are closed.