Island Town Roars to Victory in G3 Smarty Jones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Keith Jones
kjones@parxracing.com

For Immediate Release: Saturday, August 29, 2015 215.639.9000 ext. 3290 or 3329 Contact: Keith Jones, Announcer – Philadelphia Park @ kjones@parxracing.com

ISLAND TOWN ROARS TO VICTORY IN G3 SMARTY JONES STAKES

Sitting a perfect pace stalking trip throughout, Island Town pulled away from front running Souper Colossal through the final eighth of a mile and went on to win the Grade 3 $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes by a convincing six and three-quarter lengths Saturday afternoon at Parx. It was the second graded win of the season for the gelded son of Hard Spun and put him in line for a start in the September 19th running of the G2 $1 million Pennsylvania Derby.

Breaking right alongside Souper Colossal from the two inside gates, winning jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. was fully content to concede the lead to his speedier rival as the two moved into the first turn. From there, Island Town would never be further back than a length and a quarter. Souper Colossal settled into his leading gallop into the backstretch and clicked off fractions of 23.63 and 47.76, again with Island Town his outside shadow every step of the way. Hernandez began to make his move entering the far turn, beginning to edge closer and then fully moved to engage his rival with a quarter mile to go.

Coming off the final turn, the two were right together, but straightening away, Island Town quickly gained a slight advantage. As the two came inside the last furlong, Island Town was the much stronger horse, and began to pull away with every stride. He won going away at the end, hitting the wire almost seven lengths in front.

Racing for Six Column Stables, Randall Bloch, Seiler Racing & David Hall, Island Town had shown his mettle earlier this year winning the G3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in June. Trained by Ian Wilkes, he was no better than third choice in the six horse field of three year-olds, slipping off at a price of 5-1 and returning $12.60, 4.40 and 7.20. Souper Colossal, 3-2 second choice, held for second and paid 3.00 and 7.80. Battle Midway, the longest price at 48-1, out finished the rest and paid 31.20 to show. The 4-5 favorite Divining Rod was three wide throughout and never got up into contention, fading late to finish fifth, setting off the big show prices after a large show bet on him failed to pay off. The final time for the one mile and seventy yards over a fast track was 1:44.10.