Ky. Derby ’25 prep: Hot Property is favorite for Smarty Jones

A field of eight led by 8-5 morning-line favorite Hot Property was entered for the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile event Saturday that begins Oaklawn’s series of Kentucky Derby 2025 points preps.

This was the race in which Derby winner Mystik Dan made his 2024 season debut. Saturday’s renewal at 4:55 p.m. EST offers 10-5-3-2-1 points to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the May 3 classic at Churchill Downs.

Hot Property, who comes in off of a winning debut, will try to give trainer Brad Cox his fourth Smarty Jones victory in the last five years. He was a front-running 3 3/4-length winner of a Nov. 24 maiden special weight at Fair Grounds going 1 1/16 miles. Hot Property drew post 6 and will be ridden by Flavien Prat.

Kale’s Angel won the 5 1/2-furlong $150,000 Advent Stakes on Dec. 6 at Oaklawn for trainer Peter Miller. The 2-1 second choice in the program, the Complexity colt will be ridden from the rail post by Ramon Vazquez.

Coal Battle exits a half-length victory in the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile on Dec. 13 at Remington Park for trainer Lonnie Briley. Carrying 9-2 morning-line odds and jockey Juan Vargas, the son of Coal Front will break from the outer post.

Bon Temps, a two-race maiden, is a supplemental entrant for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.