Worth the Risk After closing his maiden campaign with a bang, Strategic Risk picked up right where he left off with a smooth score in Saturday’s $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. A nine-length winner last time out in the $300,000 In Reality Stakes, Strategic Risk didn’t quite dominate to that extent this time around, but a 4 ½-length margin of victory certainly drew no complaints from breeder/owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse. The 3-year-old Noble Bird bay’s second straight stakes triumph was his third overall from six starts (3-0-1; $392,300) and first since his professional debut last June. As the 5-2 second choice Saturday, Strategic Risk paid $7 flat. In the Name My World conquered the competition in Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome Stakes to secure his second consecutive stakes badge for owners Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables. Nearly two months to the day after tracking down his first stakes tally in the Nashua, the 3-year-old son of Essential Quality–Quebec returned to Aqueduct for the Jerome with the same unrelenting vigor. Under rider Jaime Rodriguez, My World took control of the one-mile dirt tilt outside the sixteenth pole and never looked back en route to a two-length decision. Now 3-0-0 through four starts with $217,750 banked, My World paid $7.24 as the 5-2 second choice. Etched in Stone It was a stakes debut to remember for sophomore colt Commandment, who delivered a divine effort in the $175,000 Mucho Macho Man, on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Teamed with five-time Eclipse Award winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr., Commandment took a patient approach in the early goings, settling off the contested pace. The pair opted for a more assertive strategy going into the stretch, and it paid off masterfully, as Commandment sped ahead under minimal urging for the 6 ¾-length victory. The Into Mischief bay has been impressive across three starts for trainer Brad Cox and owner Wathnan Racing, collecting over $165,000 (2-0-0). Commandment paid $3 as the 1-2 choice Saturday. Rising Star Hometown Bound reached stakes winner status in just his second career start after leading every step of the way in Saturday’s $125,000 Turfway Prevue at Turfway Park. Sent off as the 2-5 choice in the 6 ½-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, Hometown Bound moved with purpose to set the pace early. Once in a comfortable spot, the son of Mitole–Youngest Daughter maintained his advantage through resistance from 30-1 shot Blessed Warrior and held firm for the 1 ¼-length clearance. Off to a perfect two-for-two start for owner Colts Neck Stables, Hometown Bound has generated north of $105,000. He paid $2.90 in the Turfway Prevue. Free Bird Dreamchaser Thorobreds filly Grace Is Free turned Sunday afternoon’s $150,000 Mockingbird Stakes upside down as the second-longest choice on the board. Leaving the gate at 15-1, the 3-year-old daughter of American Freedom–Vivian’s Grace put on a show for the Oaklawn Park faithful, nabbing the lead at the half and fighting with every ounce to hold on ahead of the wire. The breakthrough one-length tally gave the dark bay her first score at the stakes level, and rider Kelsi Harr her second. Trained by Robert Cline, Grace is Free paid $32.40. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
