Derby Dozen: Multiple stakes winner Discreetness showing grit

Trainer Jinks Fires and his son-in-law, jockey Jon Court, are two of the easiest people to root for in Thoroughbred racing.

They each got to participate in their first Kentucky Derby in 2011 when Grade I winner Archarcharch entered the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. The affable pair have another viable contender this season in multiple stakes winner Discreetness, who looks to take the next step forward in Monday’s Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Discreetness caught some attention last September when he tracked the pace and then drew off to win a 7-furlong allowance race at Churchill Downs by 8½ lengths. After ending his 2015 campaign with a narrow win in the Remington Springboard Mile, the son of Discreet Cat showed his handiness during his season debut in the Smarty Jones Stakes on Jan. 18.

Court was able to use Discreetness early to get him into the top three around the first turn. After rating just off the early leaders, the bay colt wore down Gordy Florida late to prevail by a neck. The quality of what he’s beaten isn’t great but he’s a hard-trying sort with classy connections around him.

Owner: Xpress Thoroughbreds LLC

Trainer: William “Jinks” Fires

Breeder: Trackside Farm and Tenlane Farm

Bloodline: Bay colt by Discreet Cat-Fondness, by Elusive Quality

Career record: Six starts, 4-0-0, $282,122

Last start: Won Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 18

Next start: Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 15.

Potential trouble: Jury is out on the quality of the field he defeated in Smarty Jones.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 10:17 PM with the headline "Derby Dozen: Multiple stakes winner Discreetness showing grit."