Albaugh Family Stables kicked off the 2024 season for 3-year-olds the right way Jan. 1 by taking the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park with Catching Freedom, who became a stakes winner in his stakes debut.

The son of Constitution also earned 10 qualifying points for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve by capturing the first race of the new year on the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep schedule. The Smarty Jones offers a 10-5-3-2-1 distribution of points to the top five finishers.

Catching Freedom broke from the gate as 1.70-1 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race. The colt has been highly regarded since agent Barry Berkelhammer bought him for $575,000 for the Albaugh family at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from Warrendale Sales’ consignment. Warrendale sold the horse on behalf of WinStar Farm, which bred the colt and stands Constitution.

When he debuted at Churchill Downs Oct. 1, Catching Freedom won a one-mile maiden race by 3 ¾ lengths for trainer Brad Cox as the 1.16-1 favorite. He offered nearly the same price (1.09-1) when favored in his second start Nov. 9 in a $100,000, 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race at Churchill, but he wound up fourth in his first test around two turns. In the Smarty Jones, however, Bettors were not dissuaded by his off-the-board finish last out, expecting that he would improve with experience.

Torres and Catching Freedom after the race. (Eclipse Sportswire)

The colt most certainly did. Cristian Torres gave Catching Freedom a patient ride, tucking the colt down along the rail heading into the first turn and leaving him tracking at an even pace behind all but one challenger down the backstretch. As pacesetter Lagynos, with Mystik Dan in a close stalking position, took the field through modest opening fractions of :23.02 and :47.01, Torres started easing forward and weaving his way toward the outside.

Catching Freedom was five-wide off the rail as the field entered the stretch and with clear room began to run down  stakes winner Just Steel, who had taken the lead. Catching Freedom kept the momentum building and was 2 ½ lengths the best at the wire ahead of Just Steel, who held second by a neck from a fast-closing Informed Patriot. Gettysburg Address, another son of Constitution, finished fourth by a neck. The final time was 1:44.59.

“We were able to have a great trip. I saved all the ground the first part of the race. As soon as I got him out, he accelerated like he always does,” said Torres, who won three races on the New Year’s Day card.

“Very proud of the horse. I think he’s still learning,” said Cox. “I think he was a little green there down the lane, but overall showed that he does have a lot of stamina and talent. I thought he stepped up and ran well against a solid group of 3-year-olds.”

WinStar Farm bred Catching Freedom out of Grade 1-placed stakes winner Catch My Drift, a daughter of Pioneerof the Nile. The colt improved to 2-for-3 in his young career with $237,350 in earnings.