Junebugred is golden in Smarty Jones
Horseracing Betting Lines
01/16/2012 - Hot Springs, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Junebugred, ridden by Joe Bravo, held on to win Monday's $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes to begin Oaklawn Park's series for three-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail. The 6-1 third choice covered the mile distance in 1:38.45 on a fast track.
In the 12-horse field On Fire Baby, the lone filly to start, went off as the 3-2 favorite with Optimizer at 2-1.
Breaking from the gate first was Laurie's Rocket followed by No Spin, Jake Mo, Junebugred and On Fire Baby. Laurie's Rocket and No Spin battled on the front end up the backstretch and into the far turn.
On Fire Baby, with Joe Johnson riding, was four wide around the final turn with No Spin, Laurie's Rocket and Jake Mo to her inside. Junebugred had dropped back on the turn as 17-1 longshot Reckless Jerry came running on the outside.
At the top of the stretch Junebugred found room along the rail with Jake Mo, On Fire Baby, Laurie's Rocket and Reckless Jerry to his outside. Trained by Steve Hobby, Junebugred was able to take the lead in late stretch and hold off the late running Reckless Jerry.
Junebugred was able post a neck victory over Reckless Jerry with On Fire Baby finishing third. Holding on for fourth was Jake Mo followed by Laurie's Rocket, Optimizer, Copus, Prince Cheval, King Coral, No Spin, Fastestwhogetspaid and Hard Nosed.
Owned by Alex and Joann Lieblong, Junebugred was making just his third career start in the Smarty Jones. The win was worth $60,000 to bring the chestnut colt's earnings to $95,400.
The three-year-old made his debut last October at Monmouth Park when he finished third as the 13-10 favorite. Six weeks later he broke his maiden at Aqueduct at 8-1.
"We started him off and he showed us some talent," said Hobby about the colt. "His first time out he hadn't had any dirt in his face and he got to hopping and jumping around like a lot of first-time starters do. We went and sent him to David (trainer David Fawkes) in New York to give him a shot on the track up there."
Junebugred returned $14.80, $7.00 and $4.60. Reckless Jerry paid $12.80 and $6.20, and On Fire Baby paid $2.60 to show.
Next for three-year-olds is the $250,000 Southwest Stakes on Monday, February 20 followed by the $500,000 Rebel on March 17 and $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 14.
The Smarty Jones Stakes is named for the 2004 champion three-year-old colt who won the Arkansas Derby along with the Run for the Roses and Preakness Stakes. The stakes was won last year by eventual Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile champ Caleb's Posse.
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Darius Johnson-Odom scored 19 points as No. 21 Marquette overcame a slow start to down No. 23 Louisville, 74-63, at Bradley Center. Davante Gardner totaled 17 points and six rebounds for the Gol
<< Blazers edge struggling Hornets
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and nine
rebounds, helping the Portland Trail Blazers handle the New Orleans Hornets,
84-77.
Nicolas Batum added 19 points and six boards for the Blazers, who snapped
<< Nationals, Flores agree to one-year deal
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Nationals and catcher Jesus
Flores have agreed to a one-year contract, thus avoiding arbitration.
Flores split time last season between the big club in Washington and its
Triple-A aff
<< City goes top with win over Wigan
Wigan, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester City moved into sole possession
of first place in the English Premier League on Monday with a 1-0 win over
Wigan at the DW Stadium.
Edin Dzeko's goal in the 22nd minute proved to be the di
<< Cavani's penalty kick helps Napoli salvage draw
Naples, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Edinson Cavani's successful penalty kick in
the 71st minute helped Napoli salvage a 1-1 draw with Bologna at the San Paolo
stadium on Monday.
Bologna seized the advantage after 14 minutes when Nico Pulzet
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Blake Griffin had a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Chris Paul-less Los Angeles Clippers took down the New Jersey Nets, 101-91. Paul sat out Monday's game against the Nets with a
Hawks take down skidding Raptors >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Smith poured in 28 points and grabbed 15
rebounds, and the Atlanta Hawks continued to surge with a 93-84 victory over
the Toronto Raptors.
Joe Johnson finished with 27 points and six assists for the
Capitals D Green sidelined after surgery >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green
is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks following stomach surgery.
CSN Washington reported on Monday evening that Green, who has suited up in
just 10 games
Doan, Gordon lead Coyotes past Avs >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shane Doan and Boyd Gordon scored a pair of
goals and Mike Smith made 38 saves as Phoenix dominated Colorado by a 6-1
count on Monday evening.
Gilbert Brule and Rostislav Klesla also lit the lamp for
Penguins captain Crosby to visit specialist >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh Penguins superstar and captain
Sidney Crosby will meet this week with Dr. Ted Carrick, a specialist in
chiropractic neurology.
Crosby has been out since developing concussion-like sy
Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.
The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.
MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.
A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.
A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.
Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.