“SMOKIN” NOT ALLOWED ALONG THE RAIL AT MAHONING VALLEY

Anyone who is reading this has had a bad beat-down in a race. There are so many things that have to go right, even if you have the best horse going into the race. HMDC and Taste of Victory Stable’s Smokin Joe had improved in every start as a 2-year-old for trainer Mike Rone, closing out his juvenile campaign with a stakes-placing. Penny Rone had the Mapleton-bred gelding tuned up for his seasonal debut off a series of solid workouts and he would get the benefits of Lasix for the first time. He was getting 8-10 lbs. from several in the field and was getting the services from the leading rider at the meet! What could go wrong?

Starting with the weather, it was a showery, 43 degrees, gray day and the track was listed as “Sloppy/Sealed.” At least we didn’t have to break from the rail in such conditions. Wait, what is the announcer saying? “Upon the advice of the Stewards, #1 So Cal Manhattan has been scratched.” Looks like we have the rail now! As expected, two runners from the outside went to the front and Smokin Joe splashed behind, waiting for the field to unveil itself.

Into the lane, Smokin Joe ran to his conditioning moving steadily forward. Jockey Erik Barbaran wasn’t leading the meet because of bad decisions, and he had plenty of horse. It looked like he was waiting for room when the appropriately named War On The River dropped an anchor that took him from first to last. According to the DRF chart, “…Smokin Joe did not respond while in the kickback.” Whatever the reason, Barbaran had to drop back quickly getting “Joe” out of trouble and running again, which he did willingly, but could only salvage the fifth spot. They don’t pay you for winning the gallop out.

Years ago, I published a “Horses to Watch” list. A horse like Smokin Joe would be a five-star selection after that performance. See you in the winner’s circle after he lights them up in his next start!