HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Smarty Jones puts his undefeated record on the line Saturday against 10 rivals in the Arkansas Derby.
The 3-year-old colt is the 7-5 favorite for Oaklawn Park's first $1-million race, one of three major Kentucky Derby preps Saturday. Smarty Jones, who has won all five starts for trainer John Servis, drew the outside No.11 post.
"I'd rather be where I am than be on the inside post," Servis said. "He'll put himself in good position."
In other Saturday preps, Lion Heart, Action This Day and Preachinatthebar top a nine-horse field for the Blue Grass, and Eddington and Value Plus are expected to head an 11-horse field for the Wood Memorial. The draw for the Wood is today.
Smarty Jones has yet to run in a graded stakes race and might not qualify for the Kentucky Derby. A maximum of 20 will make the Derby field based on graded stakes earnings. There still are about 40 horses under Derby consideration.
SOCCER: Adu twists ankle
Freddy Adu twisted his right ankle and sat out the last hour of D.C. United's practice. After some ice and work with the trainer, the 14-year-old said he was fine. His foot had been sore since he got kicked practicing in Florida three weeks ago, and this appeared to be a flare up. Barring relapse, Adu should play Saturday at Los Angeles.
But the injury could be a way to resolve coach Peter Nowak's dilemma over whether his young star should start. Adu was a tentative contributor in United's 2-1 win over San Jose on Saturday in the MLS opener.
TENNIS: Rafter a top pick in WTT
Two-time U.S. Open champ Patrick Rafter was taken by the Philadelphia Freedoms with the first pick in the World Team Tennis marquee draft. Andy Roddick was chosen No.2 by the St. Louis Aces, followed by Martina Navratilova to the New York Buzz. The season opens July 5.
BAUSCH & LOMB CHAMPIONSHIPS: Serena Williams topped Sarasota resident Mary Pierce 6-3, 6-1 in a second-round match in Amelia Island. It was the first clay-court match of the year for Williams. Defending champ Elena Dementieva, whom Williams beat Saturday in the Nasdaq-100 final, withdrew with a right hip strain.
NO SERVICE: Paradorn Srichaphan's pro career is safe, after the Thai star was exempted from military conscription. Srichaphan, 24, reported to the recruiting office in Bangkok, which had 63 places to fill. Sixty-five volunteers showed up, exempting Srichaphan, the world-ranked No.12 player.
