Catching Freedom enters Derby picture in Smarty Jones

Jan 02, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Catching Freedom made amends for a rough-trip loss in a Churchill Downs allowance in his previous start to land the $300,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park on Monday, the first of Road to the Kentucky Derby series event of the new year.

Under Cristian Torres, Catching Freedom saved ground much of the way, angled four wide for the stretch run and powered home to a 2 1/2-length win in the 1 1/16-mile event. Favored at 17-10 against eight rivals, Catching Freedom returned $5.40 after completing the course in 1:44.59.

Catching Freedom races for Albaugh Family Stable and is trained by Brad Cox, who was winning the Smarty Jones for the third time in the last four years.

FULL RACE REPLAY 🎥
#2 CATCHING FREEDOM ($5.40) reels in the pacesetters in the 2024 Smarty Jones S. @OaklawnRacing to earn 10 @kentuckyderby points. 🌹

The 3yo son of Constitution was ridden to victory by jockey @cristiantorr64 for Trainer @bradcoxracing. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/KDgaChGBhR

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 1, 2024

Finishing second in the Smarty Jones was Just Steel, who had a neck margin on Informed Patriot. Gettysburg Address, who was squeezed back to last at the start and trailed much of the way, was another neck behind in fourth. He was followed by Mystik Dan, Lagynos, Mo Winning, Chaperone, and Fidget.

With the victory, Catching Freedom earned 10 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.  Just Steel secured five points, his first in three Derby prep attempts. Informed Patriot earned three points, boosting his total to six, while Gettysburg Address increased his total from two points to four and Mystik Dan earned one point.

Favored in all three outings to date, Catching Freedom has won twice. He opened his account with a 3 3/4-length maiden win over a mile at Churchill on Oct. 1, but lacked running room at various points through the stretch of a Nov. 9 allowance going 1 1/16 miles and had to settle for fourth.

Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Catching Freedom sold for $575,000 at Keeneland September. He is by Constitution and out of the Grade 1-placed stakes winner Catch My Drift, a daughter of Pioneerof the Nile.