Parx plays: Smarty Jones, Cathryn Sophia, Summer Sprint

Racing fans do not often see graded stakes races on a sleepy Tuesday afternoon. At Parx Racing though, the track is running the Grade 3, $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, to liven up the day for bettors.

Unfortunately, though, the $200,000 Parx Dash Stakes (G3) has been rescheduled for Aug. 31 because of heavy rain in the area. Other turf races were moved off the turf.  

On the undercard, there is also the $150,000 Cathryn Sophia Stakes and $100,000 Parx Summer Sprint Stakes, and a Pick 4 sequence connecting all four races.

Here are some thoughts on these three Aug. 24 Parx races.

Parx Summer Sprint Stakes

According to TimeformUS Pace Projector, the pace is projected as fast, with all six horses in this six-furlong sprint stakes wanting a forward position.

Heart Rhythm looks like the runner most comfortable with a stalking position. In his most recent start, he won in gate-to-wire fashion in a local July 5 allowance race. But two starts ago, Heart Rhythm ran as a tracker in a local starter allowance on May 12 and lost by half a length. Both races were seven furlongs.

Four starts back, Heart Rhythm was a closer in a local 6 1/2-furlong optional claiming race, losing by only two lengths to one of his foes in this race, Beren.

Because of his expected stalking or closing position, Heart Rhythm gets the nod.

Speaking of Beren, he also is capable of bouncing back after a dismal effort in the nine-furlong Curlin Stakes. Against quality competition, he is better as a sprinter. At Belmont in May, he won the Gold Fever Stakes over Candy Man Rocket and the Paradise Creek Stakes by 10 3/4 lengths over Two Three Zone, who is in this field.

Also, Privet Moon has a shot after bouncing back from a poor return effort at Churchill Downs and winning a seven-furlong optional claimer at Ellis Park.

Top selection: #4 Heart Rhythm (4-1)

Contenders: #1 Beren (3-1), #6 Privet Moon (8/5)

Cathryn Sophia Stakes

The morning-line favorite Vequist is an expected scratch.

According to TimeformUS Pace Projector, the pace is supposed to run slow and favor Lovely Ride, who faded to fifth in the Indiana Oaks (G3) in her last start.

Two starts ago, Lovely Ride won an optional claiming race at Churchill Downs by 6 1/2 lengths. She deserves another shot to run back to that promising effort.

If Lovely Ride misfires again, Bold Tactics might continue her own momentum after winning a maiden race by 5 1/4 lengths at Monmouth earlier this month in her first start under Kelly Breen. As with all Monmouth winners, she won under a hand ride.

Marion Francis also is a contender after pressing Lovely Ride in the Indiana Oaks and continuing to fight in the stretch afterward for a close fourth. She lost by only half a length to Soothsay, who also won the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) in April.

On the downside, Marion Francis draws the rail for the first time in her career.

Top selection: #3 Lovely Ride (7/2)

Best value: #6 Bold Tactics

Contender: #1 Marion Francis

Smarty Jones Stakes (G3)

Although Fulsome has been overrated, he is supposed to win this race given the kind of races he has won earlier this year for trainer Brad Cox.

After winning the Oaklawn Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths and the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs by 3 3/4 lengths, Fulsome was third in the Indiana Derby (G3) by 5 1/2 lengths. Some observers argue he received a bad ride from Florent Geroux in the Indiana Derby.

If Fulsome repeats the Matt Winn effort, he beats this group.

Indian Lake is also interesting. He cuts back in distance and switches to dirt after winning the 1 1/2-mile Bald Eagle Derby at Pimlico in July. He is no stranger to dirt or this track, with two local optional claiming wins in March and April.

Given his successful experience routing on this course, Indian Lake is a contender.  

For a decent closer at a value price, think about Doubleoseven. His route win at Pimlico over the slop on May 29 is fast enough to contend with this group. If the pace heats up front with Ridin with Biden and The Jones Boy, he could upset.

Top selection: #6 Fulsome (8/5)

Contender:  #1 Indian Lake (5-1)

Best value: #5 Doubleoseven (8-1)