Silver Prospector, Shoplifted among Asmussen quartet in Smarty Jones

Jan 19, 2020 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Oaklawn Park opens Friday with a Kentucky Derby qualifier, the $150,000 Smarty Jones, serving as the main event on a nine-race program. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will send four to the one-mile test including Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Silver Prospector and Springboard Mile victor Shoplifted.

The Smarty Jones offers points on a 10-4-2-1 scale to the top four finishers as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

After finishing third in the Street Sense in late October, Silver Prospector made his first attempt at a qualifier a winning one in the Nov. 30 Kentucky Jockey Club. The gray son of Declaration of War rallied into contention on the far turn and out-finished a pair of rivals to win by three-quarters of a length on a sloppy Churchill Downs track. Regular rider Ricardo Santana Jr. has the call.

Runner-up in the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga, Shoplifted rebounded from a pair of unplaced stakes attempts at Santa Anita when taking the Dec. 15 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. He earned his first points toward a Kentucky Derby berth and registered a 93 Brisnet Speed rating for the head decision. Tyler Gaffalione takes over the reins.

Gold Street, who posted a 3 ½-decision in the 6-furlong Sugar Bowl at Fair Grounds last out, and Springboard Mile fourth-placer Jungle Runner complete the Asmussen contingent.

Three Technique will make his stakes and 3-year-old debut for Jeremiah Englehart off a pair of convincing wins. An impressive 5 1/2-length maiden scorer at Saratoga, the son of Mr. Speaker returned from a three-month freshening with a 4 1/2-length triumph over entry-level allowance foes at Aqueduct on Nov. 20. Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in for the mount.

Lynn’s Map, who was redirected to this spot after receiving post 14 in last Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds, merits consideration for Mark Casse. A maiden winner at Churchill Downs, the dark bay colt exits a commendable allowance tally over a nice field at Fair Grounds. Miguel Mena rides.