Lion Heart and Smarty Jones Get Stakes Winners

Soul Warrior and Backtalk Win W V Derby and Sanford By A Neck

Aug 9, 2009

Although 2004 Belmont Stakes champion Birdstone is the stallion of the season, classmates Lion Heart and Smarty Jones are also getting two- and three-year-old winners.

Birdstone son and Smart Strike grandson Mine That Bird, who won the Kentucky Derby and placed in the other two 2009 classics, went third August 1 behind Lion Heart three-year-old Soul Warrior, who captured the $750,00 West Virginia Derby (G2) by a neck over Big Drama, while two-year-old Smarty Jones son Backtalk, an Affirmed maternal grandson, stayed unbeaten and became Smarty's first second crop graded stakes winner when he skidded to the wire first by a neck in a blanket finish in the $150,000 Sanford Stakes (G2) at Saratoga July 30.

Finish of W V Derby At Mountaineer

Soul Warrior: Lion Heart--Urmia (euthanized after 2008 accident), by Meadowlake -- 1st by a neck in West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort -- Owners: Zayat Stables -- Breeders: Bob Austin, Copperhead Stable, David Hanley, Kentucky -- Trainer: Steve Asmussen -- Jockey: Dale Beckner.

Soul Warrior boosted his lifetime earnings to $589,720, winning his third race from seven starts. He also has two place finishes.

Big Drama (favorite): Montbrook--Riveting Drama, by Notebook -- 2nd by 1-1/2 lengths -- Owner and Breeder: Harold L. Queen, Florida.

Mine That Bird: Birdstone--Mining My Own, by Smart Strike -- 3rd by 4-1/2 -- Owners: Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine -- Breeders: P. Lamantia, C.C. Blackburn, Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds, Kentucky.

Finish of Sanford Stakes At Saratoga

Backtalk (favorite): Smarty Jones--Apasionata Sonata, by Affirmed -- 1st by a neck in Sanford Stakes -- Owners: Gold Mark Farm -- Breeders: Cloverleaf Farms II, Florida -- Trainer: Thomas M. Amoss -- Jockey: Miguel Mena.

Smarty Jones' talented two-year-old chestnut son remained unbeaten in three races. Backtalk has earned $180,095 from his three career wins. On July 3, Backtalk scored in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. He captured a first victory in Louisville June 11, breaking his maiden in his debut.

Enumerate: Proud Accolade--Clandestine, by Grand Slam -- 2nd by a neck -- Owner and Breeder: Padua Stables, Florida.

Louisvilleluminary: Pulpit--Copelan's Bid Gal, by Copelan -- 3rd by 1/2 length -- Owners: Ackerley Brothers Farm -- Breeders: Glory Days Breeding, Kentucky.

Street Cry Daughter Seventh Street Wins

Four-year-old Seventh Street, Street Cry (Ire)--Holiday Runner, by Meadowlake won her fifth race from eight starts and increased her winnings to $656,000 as she won the nine furlong $300,000 Go For Wand Handicap (G1) at Saratoga August 2 by 1-1/2 lengths in time of 1:51.01.

Seventh Street is owned by Godolphin Racing, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, and ridden by Rajiv Maragh. She was bred in Kentucky by Steve Barberino.

Miss Isella, Silver Charm--La Cucina (Ire), by Last Tycoon (Ire), the favorite, went second by a head over Spritely, Touch Gold--Wood Sprite, by Woodman.

Miss Isella is owned by Elaine Jones and was bred in Kentucky by Domino Stud of Lexington.

Edward P. Evans owns Spritely, who was bred in Kentucky by John E. and Barbara R. Smicklas.

The copyright of the article Lion Heart and Smarty Jones Get Stakes Winners in Thoroughbred Racing is owned by BarbaraAnne Helberg. Permission to republish Lion Heart and Smarty Jones Get Stakes Winners in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.