Liberty Bull wins inaugural Smarty Jones Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Liberty Bull won the inaugural Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Monday, holding off Isabull by a neck.
The $50,000 race for 3-year-olds is named after the horse that nearly won the Triple Crown in 2004. Smarty Jones won over Arkansas fans that year with victories in the Southwest Stakes, Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn before also taking the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Liberty Bull, with Eddie Razo aboard, covered a mile in 1:38.15. Isabull was just behind, followed by Rich Young Ruler.
Liberty Bull paid $6, $4 and $3.20. Liberty Bull is trained by Thomas Amoss.
Isabull paid $5.80 and $5, and Rich Young Ruler paid $6.80 to show.
Oaklawn has become a popular destination for Kentucky Derby hopefuls in recent years because of its trio of big prep races -- the Southwest, Rebel and Arkansas Derby. The Smarty Jones doesn't have that kind of prestige yet, but it's the same distance as the Southwest, which will take place Feb. 18.
The Smarty Jones actually was faster than last year's Southwest, which was won by Teuflesberg in 1:38.20.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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