Tip Top Thomas Holds Off Fact in Smarty Jones Stakes

Tip Top Thomas showed his determination Aug.19 in the $200,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Racing, holding off a fast-closing Fact to win by a head. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the 3-year-old Volatile colt went to the front right out of the gate, leading every step of the way through fractions of :24.12, :46.88, 1:10.29, 1:35.83, before finishing the 1 1/8 mile race in 1:42.50 on a fast main track. Approaching the final turn under jockey John Velazquez, it looked like Tip Top Thomas was going to shake loose from Fact, but Fact re-rallied to just miss the win. Hypnus was third. Owned by James Bakke and Gerald Isbister, Tip Top Thomas was coming into the race off a victory in the Indiana Derby (G3), where he had defeated Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Coal Battle and recent Ellis Park Derby winner Big Truzz. The colt paid $2.80 to win, and improved his record to 4-1-0 from six starts. Tip Top Thomas was purchased as a yearling by Mathew Robert for $160,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton October Fall Yearling Sale. He was bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay, Donna Moore, and Jim Richardson. The Smarty Jones serves as a local prep for Parx Racing's $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Sept. 20. Dry Powder Kicks Clear in Cathryn Sophia Stakes A race later, in a local prep for the Sept. 20 Cotillion Stakes (G1), Gold Square's Dry Powder drew away in the stretch to dominate the Cathryn Sophia Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths. The 3-year-old daughter of Gun Runner stalked the pace under Luis Saez through splits of :23.23, :46.78, 1:10.73, 1:36.47, finishing in a final time of 1:40.59 for a mile and 70 yards. Ourdaydreaminggirl made a late rally to get up for the place, while longshot Disco Rules stayed on for third. Dry Powder ($17), trained by Chad Summers, notched her first black-type win after finishing third in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and second in the Wilson Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in her previous two outings. Bred in Kentucky by Corser Thoroughbreds, Dry Powder was acquired as a yearling for $525,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Joe Hardoon.