Filly to face the boys in Smarty Jones

Horseracing Betting Lines

01/10/2012 - Hot Springs, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oaklawn Park's series for three-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail will get underway on Monday, January 16 with the running of the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes. The mile event was won last year by eventual Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile champ Caleb's Posse.

While the field for the Smarty Jones won't be filled until Saturday, a filly has been readied for the race. On Fire Baby, owned by Anita Cauley, is expected to take on her male counterparts in the stakes.

"She's so ready," said trainer Gary 'Red Dog' Hartlage. "She just looks so good and comes home so easily."

On Fire Baby, with regular jockey Joe Johnson in the saddle, worked Tuesday morning in 1:02 1/5 over five-furlongs at Oaklawn Park. She was caught for six-furlongs in 1:14 2/5 and 1:28 for seven-furlongs.

"Joe says she dropped about a foot when he shook the reins at her," said Hartlage. "She really got down on her belly, leveled off and dug in for this work."

The filly has won three of four starts including victories in the Pocahontas and Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. After winning in her first career start at Ellis Park in August, On Fire Baby finished fifth at 40-1 in the Alcibiades Stakes in October at Keeneland.

On Fire Baby has earned $227,329 in her four starts.

The Smarty Jones Stakes is named for the 2004 champion three-year-old colt who won the Arkansas Derby along with the Run for the Roses and Preakness Stakes.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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