Best Actor Puts On Dazzling Show in Smarty Jones

In only his fourth start, Best Actor  was a display of dominance when he thundered down the stretch in the Aug. 23 Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) at Parx Racing, crossing the wire 5 3/4 lengths ahead of his rivals and earning his first win in graded stakes company. 

Trained by Brad Cox, the 3-year-old colt settled into second behind early leader Practical Coach  through fractions of :23.76 and :47.72. Approaching the final turn, Best Actor, under Florent Geroux, moved and took the lead easily in 1:11.97. Coming down the stretch, Kissalot  moved from third into second to challenge the leader but could not keep up. At the wire, it was Best Actor, who tore away to take it in 1:44.14 over 1 1/16 miles on a fast track.

Kissalot finished second, and 8-5 favorite Creative Minister  ran third, 7 3/4 lengths behind the winner. 

Best Actor paid $7 to win and improved his record to 3-1-0 from four starts. His earnings increased to $382,120.

Owned by Gary and Mary West, the son of Flatter  's last time out was a runner-up finish in the Indiana Derby (G3). He won both his first and second attempts, an April 16 maiden special weight race at Oaklawn Park and a June 12 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs.

Best Actor was a $330,000 purchase for agent Ben Glass from the Beau Lane Bloodstock consignment to the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is out of the Smart Strike mare Abraqat, who has three winners from four foals to race. The dam dropped a Game Winner colt this year and was bred back to Yaupon for the 2023 season. 

Green Up Takes the Cathryn Sophia in Style, Adds to Impressive Record

In a field that had dwindled to five, it was Team Valor International's Green Up  who prevailed in the Cathryn Sophia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.  

The Upstart   filly, trained by Todd Pletcher, moved up gradually as the pack moved through fractions of :22.95, :46.53, 1:10.68, and 1:35.62. 

Leading the early charge was Interstatedaydream , the 1-2 favorite who faltered going into the final turn, where Green Up under Irad Ortiz Jr. took the lead and drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths in 1:39.77 for a mile and 70 yards.

Interstatedaydream finished second, with Morning Matcha  taking third.

Green Up paid $7.80 and improved 4-1-0 from five starts. Her earnings increased to $220,760. 

Bred in Virginia by Althea Richards, Green Up was a $10,000 purchase by Leonard Mattingly from the Marshall Silverman consignment to the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern Fall Yearling Sale. She is out of the Two Punch mare Green Punch, who has three winners from three foals to race.

Video: Cathryn Sophia S. (BT)