Smarty Jones at Oaklawn: Mark Casse goes one‑two

Robert Yates

At Oaklawn on Saturday, the Hall of Fame conditioner Mark Casse extended a remarkable 2025–2026 session. In the quarter‑million‑dollar Smarty Jones Stakes for three‑year‑olds, first and second were filled by his runners — a stable exacta, for example, that fans liken to a cold quinella in horse racing.

In Oaklawn’s first of four Kentucky Derby preps, the one and one‑sixteenth miles Smarty Jones, Strategic Risk was piloted by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano and, circling outside before the stretch, he seized control and widened. The margin became four and one‑half lengths over Silent Tactic, his barn mate, like a measured late‑turn move you’d see in a stakes race. Ownership of the top pair lies with John Oxley.

Eighty‑four to one Baytown Dreamer checked in third, three‑quarter of a length adrift of Silent Tactic, who was trying dirt for the initial time. Sleepingonfreedom came next in fourth, then, in sequence, previously unbeaten Rancho Santa Fe, Scar Ship, Universe — the two to one favorite — and Oscar’s Hope. Boca Beach Club was withdrawn, leaving eight starters, as sometimes happens when a field scratches down.

Tracking the pace‑setter Scar Ship from the outside, Strategic Risk was kept in close range through an opening half in forty‑nine and seventy‑two hundredths seconds, before he strode away through the lane. On a fast surface, the final clocking read one minute forty‑five point zero six. Think of a rider biding time, then producing a decisive kick.

As a meet‑leading achievement, the Smarty Jones became Casse’s fourth stakes win of the stand, and his overall ledger improved to eleven for twenty‑three across the first dozen days of a sixty‑four‑day split schedule. It’s the sort of hot streak stables reference when mapping a prep series.

Homebred by John Oxley, Strategic Risk banked ten Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the triumph — his third victory from six career attempts — and the Noble Bird colt now shows earnings of three hundred ninety‑two thousand three hundred dollars. One start earlier, on November twenty‑nine at Gulfstream Park, he dominated the restricted Florida Sire In Reality Stakes at one and one‑sixteenth miles by nine lengths, a blowout akin to a runaway allowance.

Estimated attendance reached roughly fifteen thousand, while pari‑mutuel handle totaled twelve million four hundred seven thousand three hundred sixty‑one dollars and seventy‑nine cents. Oaklawn’s thirteen‑day Holiday racing stand wraps on Sunday, with first post set for 12 p.m. Central; for instance, early birds often plan lunch around it.

Smarty Jones — Quotes and reactions

Winning and Runner-up Trainer Mark Casse (via phone): “This morning I was messaging with Javier (Castellano), and from the way the race shaped up I told him, ‘I don’t see them beating this horse.’ Our confidence was high going in. His last start — yes, the Stallion Stakes didn’t feature deep opposition — but the manner of victory and how easily he did it made me think he’d be a hard nut to crack. Midway through the card I reached out again to note how strong the track was playing to speed; he replied that he was aware and a touch concerned. Once they left the gate and he secured that spot, I always felt he was the winner. Watching the replay, the one who ran huge was Silent Tactic; he was jostled two or three times down the backside, they tightened it up on him, yet he still finished. That was his first try on dirt, so I expect improvement next time.”

NOTE: Casse indicated Strategic Risk is being aimed at the Southwest Stakes (G3) on January thirty‑one at Oaklawn, a race worth one million dollars.

Winning Jockey Javiar Castellano (Strategic Risk): “What I noticed most today, even in the post‑parade, was how relaxed and cheerful he felt — a powerful horse feeling good. He broke cleanly, and I used just enough to get position. I expected two or three to show primary speed, and my plan was to stalk; when only Scar Ship committed to the lead, I let that one dictate and sat right behind. The fractions didn’t seem demanding to me, so I just enjoyed the trip. Turning in, when I asked, he accelerated sharply, finished up the right way, and then galloped out strong and straight. It was a fun ride, and I’m very pleased to be here.”

Fifth-place Jockey Florent Geroux (Rancho Santa Fe): “He left a bit tardy — he’s not the snappiest away — and with the tempo crawling I lost leverage. I was alongside Silent Tactic, and at about the three‑eighths marker he shouldered past me and went on to take second.”

Seventh-place Jockey Joel Rosario (Universe): “For a moment down the backstretch it felt acceptable, but afterward he struggled, maybe with the surface. This was his first experience here.”