Can Birdstone Become an Old Friend?
One of the highlights of this year’s virtual Secretariat Festival will be Michael Blowen taking you on an online guided tour of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. The newest arrival he will introduce you to is the 2004 Belmont, Travers, and Champagne winner Birdstone. If the smallish son of Grindstone is ever going to get the love he so richly deserves it is here, where Blowen can showcase the horse as only he can. Birdstone, you see, has been one of the most maligned horses of recent years since that fateful day at Belmont Park when he sent the majority of Belmont’s record crowd home in tears and despair by denying America’s hero Smarty Jones the Triple Crown sweep most everyone had come to witness. Before you link into this free extraordinary event to be live-streamed on the Secretariat Festival Facebook page Oct. 11, here is your opportunity to read the behind the scenes story of an “Old Friend” you really never got to know. ~ Steve Haskin
Can Birdstone Become an Old Friend?
By Steve Haskin
It is appropriate in some strange convoluted way that Birdstone is now at Old Friends Thoroughbred Farm in Lexington. The truth is, the little horse with the big heart doesn’t have many old friends. But it is hoped after being placed in the care of the irrepressible and energetic Michael Blowen he will soon have his share of new friends.
This is a horse who, despite winning three of the most prestigious and historic stakes in America, has never been embraced by racing fans. The reason is simple. He is best remembered as being the horse who brought 120,000 screaming fans to a stunned silence in about 10 agonizing seconds. He is the horse who turned tears of joy into tears of sadness. He is the horse who, 16 years later, still will not allow the vast majority of racing fans to watch a replay of the 2004 Belmont Stakes. He is the horse who sent NYRA track announcer Tom Durkin’s voice plummeting after reaching a resounding crescendo.
You can still hear the hope and excitement in Durkin’s voice as the field turned into the stretch with America’s darling Smarty Jones bounding along with a four-length lead; Triple Crown history a mere quarter of a mile away. A ticker tape parade through the streets of Philadelphia awaited the horse. Street Road, the main road in the town of Bensalem, where Smarty Jones resided at Philadelphia Park, was about to be renamed Smarty Jones Boulevard.
“And Smarty Jones enters the stretch to the roar of 120,000,” Durkin bellowed. Everyone was on their feet, shouting and fist pumping; some already hugging, even Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. But then Durkin caught a glimpse of Marylou Whitney’s powder blue silks entering the picture and his voice changed. “But Birdstone is going to make him earn it today. The whip is out on Smarty Jones. It’s been 26 years. It’s just one furlong away.” Durkin’s voice was almost pleading with Smarty Jones to find more.
But the experienced Durkin could already feel the dream unraveling. “I was pumped, but you could tell from the sound of my voice that Birdstone was coming on,” he recalled years later.
“Birdstone is an outside threat. They’re coming down to the finish. Can Smarty Jones hold on? Here comes Birdstone. Birdstone surges past.” And then Durkin’s voice went somber. “Birdstone … wins … the … Belmont … Stakes” — the last three words dropping as if it had been pushed off a cliff.
It was the first time in history that the owner of a classic winner actually felt badly and was unable to rejoice in the victory, even a little. Mrs. Whitney was near tears, not for her victory, but for depriving Smarty his chance for immortality and for what a victory would have done for the sport. “I feel so awful for Smarty Jones,” she said. “We were hoping we’d be second. I love Smarty. He’s done more for racing than anyone I’ve ever known.”
When congratulated on his victory, all Marylou’s husband John Hendrickson could say was, “No, that was bad.”
And then there were the comments on my old Twitter page:
“I can’t think of a more heartbreaking defeat than Smarty Jones in the Belmont. Still unwatchable 14 years later.”
“I can honestly say I have never felt so empty after a race than I did that day. I wanted him to win so bad as an undefeated champion.”
“It broke my heart that he lost the Belmont, I’ll never forget the largest crowd in history suddenly silenced. And the little girl next to me who I comforted when she broke out in tears.”
“Brutal. Still can’t watch that race.”
“It was following Smarty that got me into horse racing – still love him so much!! That Belmont about killed me!! Talk about crying my eyes out!!!”
“That Belmont run still breaks my heart. I cried so hard that day.”
“It was so eerie… thousands screaming and then… silence.”
“It was like a balloon got suddenly deflated. The roar of that Belmont crowd becoming still as he got passed….you could physically feel it.”
“His story was so compelling, so heartwarming. The outcome of the 2004 Belmont Stakes was like the worst kind of cruelty joke.”
“His Triple Crown campaign was brilliant and mesmerizing, and his loss in the Belmont will always be one of the most heartbreaking moments in my racing memory.”
“I felt absolutely SICK. Poor Smarty, he gave his all that day.”
You get the picture. This is what Birdstone did to racing fans all over the country and to an entire big city and their love of a horse.
But the bottom line is that Birdstone did what he was supposed to do, what he was born to do. Others who directly deprived the world of a Triple Crown winner, such as Arts and Letters, Easy Goer, Victory Gallop, and Touch Gold were never maligned as Birdstone was.
The was the horse who trainer Nick Zito’s assistant Reynaldo Abreu dubbed “Little Man.” Abreu was the colt’s biggest supporter, and that is why he was bawling after the race, tears streaming down his face. He kept telling Zito, Marylou, and John Hendrickson “Don’t lose faith in Little Man. No matter what, don’t ever lose faith.”
After the race, Marylou went over to him and gave him a hug, saying, “You were right.”
Now, here Abreu was leading Birdstone, all 950 pounds of him, back to the test barn in front of a stunned and deflated crowd, too drained to pay any attention. Still shaking and with tears still running down hs cheek, Abreu said to the horse, “You deserve this, little one, you deserve it.” He then gave the colt a big slap on the rump. “They said you were too little, but they didn’t know how big your heart is.”
They also didn’t realize that the Champagne Stakes winner, who had finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby, despised sealed tracks, which was the condition of the track for the Run for the Roses. Not only did he flounder over the track, he lost a shoe and kept getting bounced around while stuck down on the rail.
After the Derby, Zito sent Birdstone to Saratoga to train. When the colt turned in a strong six-furlong work over the deep Oklahoma training track, Mrs. Whitney, despite wanting Smarty Jones to sweep the Triple Crown and feeling Birdstone was unable to beat him, nevertheless said to Zito, “Go for it.”
For Zito, it had been a frustrating year, especially with Birdstone. The half-brother to the previous year’s champion 3-year-old filly, Bird Town, was a late foal, being born on May 16, and hadn’t done much growing over the winter. “I just can’t understand it,” Zito said. “This poor horse has never gained a pound, and has never grown an inch. But he’s got guts and he has a right to run in the Belmont Stakes.”
Before the race, Abreu said, “Everybody’s been knocking this horse all along, and even Jerry Bailey deserted him. All because he’s little. I don’t want to hear it. I know he’s little; what can you do about it? There’s nothing wrong with being small. All I know is that I love this horse. He’s a running s.o.b. and he tries so hard. His only two bad races were on a sealed track. I’m telling you, they better have their running shoes on.”
Birdstone had been suffering indignities ever since he was a young horse. When he was sent to Padua Stables in Ocala, Florida, to be broken, it was learned after he arrived that he had been sent by mistake. The horse that was supposed to be shipped was a Storm Cat colt, who Overbrook Farm and Mrs. Whitney owned in a foal-sharing partnership. Farm trainer Randy Bradshaw was asked to check the newly arrived colt’s papers, which indicated he had a good deal of white on him. Bradshaw informed the parties involved that this was just “a plain little old bay.”
The colt remained, and Bradshaw wound up breaking a future Belmont winner. He recalled calling Zito and telling him, “He’s not very big, but he does everything right, he’s training well, and he’s very professional.”
Birdstone shipped down to Belmont from Saratoga the Wednesday before the Belmont, the same day Smarty Jones arrived. No one noticed. The next day, with the massive throng gathered outside Smarty’s barn, and the path to the track leading right past the barn, Zito elected to keep Birdstone away from the madness and sent him to the training track. Again, no one noticed.
“I can’t believe it over there,” Zito said, referring to Smarty’s barn. “I’m just going to the training track; it’s nice and calm there.”
Zito, like Mrs. Whitney, had no grandiose visions of upsetting Smarty Jones. “I don’t see how Smarty is going to get beat, unless he beats himself,” he said. “But what’s wrong with finishing second to a hero? If someone is going to beat him, they’re going to have to have a very good day and move way forward, while he has to move way back. But we’re looking at it positively. You have to.”
Zito took some comfort in knowing that if he did manage to pull off the upset, he, as a New York hero himself, might have a better chance of escaping the wrath of the crowd than if someone else perpetrated the dastardly deed. “The one thing I have going for me is that I do have the New York deal going, so maybe I’ll get a little break. They’ll only throw one beer can at me instead of the whole six pack,” he said.
The morning of the race, jockey Edgar Prado’s agent, Bob Frieze, stopped by the barn, which as usual was devoid of reporters or photographers. “Don’t worry,” Frieze told Zito. “We want the press here tomorrow, not today.”
The ominous weather forecast of a cold rain all day and heavy winds never materialized, with only a few light sprinkles falling on Belmont during the day. The crowd, as expected, came pouring in early and continued to arrive until late in the afternoon, shattering the old record of 103,222 set two years earlier.
Briefly, Prado eased Birdstone out off the rail down the backstretch and was able to get him to settle nicely, some three to four lengths off the lead. Stewart Elliott, feeling the pressure from Eddington on his outside and Rock Hard Ten and Purge on his inside, decided he’d have a better shot of getting Smarty to relax if he got him to the lead. But it took a brutal third quarter in :22 4/5 to get him there, and another testing quarter to keep him there. By the three-eighths pole, he had managed to run his three pursuers into the ground and quickly opened a clear lead as the crowd went crazy. The three big contenders were cooked.
But Prado still had a ton of horse, and it was time to pick up the pieces. “I knew I had a good chance to win at the three-eighths pole, when my horse kept coming slowly and Smarty wasn’t able to open up any more,” he said. “I knew all he had to do was maintain his speed and his pace and he was going to get there.”
Prado and Birdstone went after Smarty out in the middle of the track and suddenly the dream started evaporating right before everyone’s eyes. Each one of Birdstone’s little strides brought him closer to Smarty. Everyone knew by then that Smarty would have no ammunition left with which to fight back, and the wire was not coming up nearly fast enough for him to hang on.
Then came the familiar hush from the crowd, as it realized all was lost. Smarty was beaten for the first time in his career, finishing second by a length.
Smarty’s trainer John Servis came over to Zito, who was more restrained in his emotions than usual, and offered his congratulations. When Zito apologized, Servis said, “What do you mean? You did a great job.”
But for Birdstone, there still was one final indignity. Just as Abreu was about to lead the horse into the tunnel to return to the backstretch, he was instructed by the outrider to walk back along the track to a backstretch gate near the clubhouse turn. When he arrived, however, the gate was locked, with the locks held together by plastic cords. Abreu went from feelings of ecstasy to anger as he found himself stranded with a horse that needed water and to relax after his grueling trip.
Fortunately, he had a pair of scissors in his pocket and was able cut through the plastic. But his problems were far from over. By now, cars were piling out of the track, and as Abreu, Birdstone, and several others from Zito’s crew tried to make their way through the traffic, a stretch limo nearly ran into Birdstone. A number of patrons helped stop traffic while an incensed Abreu finally was able to lead Birdstone to the test barn.
Birdstone finally arrived at the test barn and then back at his own barn. There were few there to welcome him. By running his heart out over the testing distance of a mile and half he was branded a villain, and there are those who still shudder at the mention of his name and refuse to watch the race.
Fast forward to the Travers Stakes two and a half months later. With Smarty Jones sidelined with an injury, it was all about Birdstone this time. Marylou, known as “The Queen of Saratoga,” mainly due to her efforts in restoring the historic Spa back to its glory days, had an opportunity to emulate her late husband’s success in the Travers. It had been 36 years since C.V. Whitney captured the Midsummer Derby with Chompion, a son of the Whitney-owned and bred Tompion, who had won the Travers eight years before Chompion. So, this time a victory would be special.
And it was. Under a black canopy of clouds that had turned a sunny Adirondack afternoon into near darkness, Birdstone came charging down the Saratoga stretch to defeat stablemate The Cliff’s Edge. It was as if the clouds had been waiting for Birdstone to cross the finish line and complete his triumphant return before unleashing a deluge of Biblical proportions, even for Saratoga.
Marylou, soaking wet, stood on the track feeling a sense of the ethereal, as if there was something divine about this victory.
“I think the gods came out and did this; all this lightning and thunder to sort of congratulate him,” she said, as sheets of heavy rain cascaded down in wind-blown waves. “This is a dream come true.”
When she spotted Nick Zito, she clasped his hands in hers and asked, “Did we just cross the English Channel?”
By now, Marylou was soaked through and through, but that didn’t stop her from leading a chorus of “Singin’ in the Rain” with her husband, Zito and the rest of the team.
But this was not about her. It was all about Birdstone, who proved his Belmont Stakes victory at 30-1 was no aberration. For Marylou, the race, combined with the rain, was a cleansing of sorts. Smarty Jones had become a distant memory. This time there were no apologies, no feelings of regret for having conquered such a beloved hero.
“Smarty Jones made people all over the country love and cheer for a horse,” she said. “Then when we beat him I felt awful. This time I feel wonderful and I know now that Birdstone deserved to win the Belmont.”
In his first year at stud at Gainesway Farm, Birdstone did the unthinkable by siring the Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird. But he never saw that kind of success again. And now, at the relatively young age of 19, he was relieved of his stud duties and sent to Old Friends, where he will be pampered and showcased like the celebrity he always should have been. And he will be doted upon by those too young to have been traumatized by his Belmont victory and hopefully by those who were, but can now see him as Reynaldo Abreu did – the “Little Man” with the big heart.
Peri, I can’t respond to you directly for some reason………True, he hasn’t had that break out race, but, he keeps running well. I think he’ll be much better next year………However, in terms of this year, depending on the Preakness results, I might try to get him a win, period ……there’s the Discovery, but I think that’s much later in the year. Steve is good at spotting his horses, so I’m not worried. I’d love to see him shock the world and win, but I’ll take an on the board finish!
Betsy, this site doesn’t allow as many nested replies in a thread as sites that use disqus, which is why there wasn’t another reply button available.
So far it seems like the switch away from the more conservative Rice-based method was the right move, and there’s something to be said for Max’s consistency and durability in these strange times. I also expect Max to improve with age. But with the Preakness field shaping up as it has, Max will probably have to take a step forward to hit the board, a bigger step to win – unless the race is a mess and he comes in to clean up at the end.
Peri, ah…that explains it. Not to be brutal, but this site isn’t very user friendly… For one thing, among others, I hate that I have to scroll back up just to refer to your post.
I just don’t fear anyone outside of the two, so I expect a very good performance. A better post will help – he was really hurt by the Derby draw.
There are definitely things they have to work on. Still a work in progress. Remember, they never had a column like this before, so its all new.
I was told they limit the replies to 5 to prevent a back and forth of snarky comments. But it will be increased to 6 or 7 comments per thread tomorrow. If you wish to continue a converation after 6 o7 comments just start a new thread and mention who it is addressed to.
Steve, that’s a good point about the site not having had a blog like this. I also think it probably is ultimately a good idea to not let threads get out of hand length-wise; continuing on topic in a new thread will make it easier to read.
There is no guarantee that maturity will cause Max to improve in the speed category. He is a slow colt with modest to OK late speed.
Thanks for this great column, Steve. As a huge Smarty fan (loved how he represented Philly!), I was of course extremely disappointed when he lost the Belmont. But I can honestly say I never blamed or hated Birdstone, or the other jockeys who allegedly conspired to beat him. It’s horse racing – the goal is to win! And I really admired Mary Lou Whitney’s class afterward. I can also vividly remember the Travers that year. The sky was so surreal, and then the singin’ in the rain in the winner’s circle…Anyway, glad to hear that Birdstone will be going to a great permanent home. I’m sure he will eventually become a treasured “old friend.”
Oh, the canceled Smarty Party…. I think that was the most disappointed I’ve ever been in a horse race. I never blamed Birdstone, though. He was the little horse that could. There’s something about a little horse that outruns the big ‘uns. That is pure heart and will to win and it gives me chills every time I see it. I’m looking forward to getting to meet Birdstone at Old Friends on my next Kentucky adventure.
I enjoyed this story, Steve. I’ve always been a sucker for the little horses with heart.
Thanks very much. I remember seeing Dark Mirage for the first time in paddock before the Mother Goose and Could not believe how tiny she was. As it turns out she weighed 750 pounds. I dont think I ever saw Thoroughbred racehorse who weighed that little.
Wow. That truly is tiny!
I have never seen a horse so great at 3 who was so ordinary at 2. Twice she went off atr odds of over 100-1.
Whoa! Now there’s a classic example of “what a difference a year makes”!
Hi Steve:
Wow, that’s pony weight. She must have been under 15 hands.
Happy Birdstone is at Old Friends and living the good life.
Thank you for once again capturing that race so poignantly! For me, it’s right up their with Zenyatta’s effort in the 2010 BCC. Tough to watch that one too! JB
I was a huge Smarty fan, and I mean huge! So it may be a little surprising that I’m also kind of fond of Birdstone. I just really like those little horses who look like their breeding goes back to Selene, the little ones that get things done. I also try not to blame horses for what happens in a race but, if I did, it’s not Birdstone I would blame for Smarty’s loss. The way I saw it, the blame if it’s going to be assigned belongs to the jockeys who had their horses pushing Smarty, with no logical reason for the good of their own race. If you look at where their horses finished, it was way up the track. My read from the race was that Smarty was beaten by a number of questionable rides by other jockeys and his inability to settle under the circumstances. I thought Stu Elliott gave the best ride he could under those adverse circumstances. After the race, I remember how badly the Whitneys felt but I thought it was other owners who should be feeling bad. Birdstone and his jockey did nothing wrong. So I wish him the absolute best at Old Friends and hope he receives the appreciation he deserves.
Perfect & sweet for Birdstone to be at Old Friends, where all are cherished Stars. This story is heartwarming ~ your inspired tales, like this for ‘Little Man’, reveal the thoroughbred heart & spirit, greatly endearing each of your equine heroes to us. Each has unique innocence & grace.
I appreciate that. Thank you very much. Great see you here.
The timing of this story is even more appropriate given the results of the 2020 KD. First crop sire Honor Code was represented by 2 entrants. The finished 2nd & 5th. Birdstone had 2 entrants in the 2009 KD ( Mine That Bird /Summer Bird). They finished 1st & 6th. Both returned to finish 1st & 3rd in the Belmont.
Not many stallions have sired two different horse that won a leg of the TC in the same year. Birdstone not only proved to be better than Smarty Jones in the Belmont but also in the breeding shed.
Despite his success as either a first or second crop sire. He never receive any serious level of support from breeders.
Birdstone has been correctly referenced above as a small colt with a big heart. His son Mine That Bird was even smaller. As shocking as Birdstone’s win over Smarty Jones was, the silence that was immediately observed at Churchill Downs after his son Mine that Bird won the 2009 Kentucky Derby, might just be the the more memorable of the two wins
By the way, Honor A.P. was 4th and Max Player was 5th in the Kentucky Derby. Tiz the Law, by Constitution, was 2nd in the Kentucky Derby.
How are you thinking about Max Player? I was thinking he might need a class break to get a confidence win, but his bullet work and trainer’s comments about his good attitude encourage me to think he got good things out of the Derby and is continuing to develop well.
Saw Kameko appear to find his sweet spot today. He was fairly skimming over the top of the turf.
Hard to judge with Max Player. Steve Asmussen has a proven record of preparing horses for an optimum performance on a certain day. Whether Max Player can beat others in the Preakness field is another matter. I like Art Collector for the Preakness Stakes.
Yes, Kameko looked good at Newmarket. Some runners exceed at certain tracks. Next weekend, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Preakness Stakes. If Sottsass gets a good post, with the ground liable to be soft, he may run right over the top of them. Farewell to Enable is the highlight though. Don’t miss it.
“Hard to judge” is exactly why I asked. [insert cheeky grin]
I agree that Art Collector has shown more than Max so far, so blind faith that Max has more in him would be the best reason to prefer him for the win, second best would be that he picks up the pieces after screaming early fractions. I am having a really hard time warming up to Authentic, to the point that I don’t think I can fairly weigh his abilities. I just can’t get over what I’ve seen in his eyes (and not seen). BB surely knows how to prepare a horse to win the Derby, though, and his track record suggests he’ll take the Preakness too. I would like it very much if Art Collector would win, but primarily am hoping for a clean, fair race.
Will not miss next weekend’s races, for sure. Sottsass will handle soft ground better than Enable, no? Otherwise, I’d go with the other older horses before Sottsass.
Kudos for your prescient anointing of Sottsass. He made a great finish. Think he’ll come here for the BC Turf?
Do you think it was the ground or the trip that was the greater factor in Enable’s final placing?
So Max Player had another solid run in the very suspenseful and thrilling Preakness to finish on Art Collector’ tail. As so frequently has been the case, Max had far too much to do at the end, despite having a good closing run in him. And NY Traffic again stumbling and breaking to his right, again hindered the start of another Honor Code colt? Quelle coincidence.
Replying here to your Sept 26, post as unable to follow from the original.
I’m not enamored with Authentic either and the addition of Thousand Words provides the possibility of tag teaming – 2018 Belmont Stakes, with all those shenanigans!! “Dirty pool.”
Max Player, which I like, appears more of a place chance than a winning chance to me. The race depends on whether Authentic is hounded early, which seems probable. Swiss Skydiver is an intriguing addition.
Even so, for me, Art Collector looks the one to beat. Post positions are seldom a concern for the Preakness. As for the Arc, post positions are quite influential and where each horse is positioned early.
Allez Sottsass, Allez Enable!!
Awesome Again, speaking of hounding the favorite. Surprised Maximum Security couldn’t shake Midcourt. Good run from the latter.
Swiss Skydiver’s and Country Grammer’s entries to the Preakness add more complexity. Glad I am not compelled to predict the race.
I guess we’ll have to see what the post positions and Paris weather are to be, then. I’ll take your word on the importance of early positioning, not having any acquaintance with the course. On The Continent, I have been to equine eventS only in and around Rome.
With the Arc, you don’t really want post 1. or from 9 outward. With that said, Enable had post 9, and Sottsass post 1. last year. Waldgeist had the ideal post 3. with a perfect trip. Mid-pack posts usually give you cover and allow the horse to settle. The inside post and outer posts are the antithesis of enabling the horse to have a smooth trip.
In case you haven’t looked rain/showers are predicted all week and including the day of the race. A bog.
It seems intuitive that post position matters less in longer races, but evidence shows otherwise, huh? Enable looks great and I would love to see her win, but a bog will probably not be to her liking. Strad’s stamina might serve him very well on such ground, but I have to give Ghaiyyath a chance too.
(Despite all that I don’t like of Disqus, its absence here may be the biggest factor in the absence of the nasty free-for-all than HRN so often is. That’s probably worth more than the cost of the built-in limits to the hierarchy of the threads here.)
But, as I said in HRN, why does Max need a class break? He hasn’t run badly at all – he ran very well in the Belmont, ok in the Travers (keep in mind he was not trained hard for the race) and fine in the Derby. He’s never run a bad race in his life, and honestly – the only toe horses I “fear” are Authentic and Art Collector. I’ll be honest, Linda did a wonderful job with Max, but looking back, she seemed almost too conservative with him…
Max hasn’t run a bad race, but he hasn’t had a breakout race like the Withers suggests he may have in him. I was thinking Max might need a confidence builder, but given Steve A’s praise of him since the Derby, I changed my opinion, as I said on HRN.
Excellent article Steve, you have captured all the drama perfectly. The real villains of the day were a couple of jockeys with dubious intent but that’s history. I hope you intend reprinting your “A Crown Denied” article as well.
Thanks, David, and for remembering the Belmont recap. That was not the recap I was planning on writing and certainly didnt want to. I was all ready to write about history, so it was a crushing blow to me, too. But you have to get a story and if you look hard enough, there is always one to write.
I, like most of the world, was convinced Smarty was going to do it. So much, in fact, that we were driving from Texas to Florida to go to Disney World and I purchased XM radio so we could find the race. Turned out we found it on a local station driving through Louisiana. It really does break my heart all over again to see that race, but I never blamed Birdstone for it. Just added it to the idea that a Triple Crown would never be seen again. I do remember Birdstone winning the Travers and thinking, how was this horse 30-1 in the Belmont.
Thank You for the backstory Steve. Always love these accounts.
I remember the race well, like everyone else I wanted Smarty Jones to win. Horse racing needed a hero, us fans needed a Triple Crown winner. Like everyone else I was very sad after the race. I never blamed Birdstone though. He was only doing what he was bred to do. I focused my pain on Stewart Elliot’s poor ride (that was what I thought anyway). Poor Smarty he was gased at the 16th pole, too rough of fractions to sustain.
It is easier to blame a human for something then blame a horse. I have no animosity towards Stewart Elliot anymore, he probably thought Smarty would keep going.
That was a long time ago and we have had 2 Triple Crown winners since to hang our hats on.
That race was just another reminder how heart breaking horse racing can be.
As said on the “Wide World of Sports” , The Thrill of Victory, the Agony of Defeat.
Excellent post Steve as always. You have an uncanny way of getting one’s emotions all stirred up, mostly in a good way.
Take care & thank you 🙂
Once again, perfectly said.
Thanks Deacon. But I’m going to try to convince you that your criticism of Elliott has been misdirected. You can blame a jockey in that race, just not Elliott, who had Smarty sitting behind Rock Hard Ten and Purge who were trying to take it to him from the start. But when Bailey moved up to challenge on his outside with Eddington for no good reason thats when Smarty got rank and Elliott had no choice but to put him on the lead in order to escape all the pressure and try to get him to relax. Unfortunately that all happened in a brutal :22 4/5 third quarter, which is outrageous in a mile and a half race. That is what did Smarty in and why he got tired in the last eighth. At the quarter he had run the mile and a quarter in a time that would have won every Kentucky Derby but six.
You just told me something I had forgotten, thank you reminding me.
As a fan & not privy to a lot what is going on in a race I did not realize this, what you said.
I stand corrected, I will now ask for redemption & forgiveness (tongue N cheek).
Seriously thank you Steve.
You are forgiven, my son.
What a great article. I spent some days in Keeneland 2 years ago and didn’t make it to Old Friends. Next time I will.
Thanks, Mary Lou
I like this comment from Pat Chapman on my Facebook page talking about Marylou and John — ” they were both so gracious, calling us, sending gifts, invitations to many parties, and a Christmas card every year until Marylou’s death. I treasure it all. Marylou was sincere in her apology. She really felt Smarty Jones was very good for racing. I was glad to read her response after his Travers victory!
What a wonderful thing to do!
This was the first I heard of it. It shows you all the things we dont know.
Thank you Steve. I remember that day well. It was indeed a heart breaking loss, but it was not the first nor will it be the last. Birdstone has a friend here and I wish him a long and happy retirement at Old Friends.
Steve, I just read your article “Where Dreams Meet Reality. ” I don’t know anything about Dr.Ho’s device but I use a backnobber. In fact, I have two–one for the office, one for home and travel.
Best $30- $35 you will ever spend.
https://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Positive-Co-Backnobber-Cobalt/dp/B0010B8CGM
That doesnt sound like something I would want to use on my feet, which is what I would buy it for.
This article brought me to tears, I understand how people could feel that way when their hope is shattered. I kinda felt that way when Tiz the Law lost. This has been such an awful year, I wanted him to win the TC to have something exciting in this terrible year. I wasn’t upset with Authentic, like you said in the article, he just did what he was suppose to do. I didn’t know anything about Birdstone, but now I do and want to learn more. I have been to Old Friends once, I can’t wait till I can go again and visit Birdstone and give him a big hug! And will be watching the virtual tour. Love this, thanks once again Steve.
One story I want to add about that Travers. It was so chaotic after the rain started, I had to get myself and my video camera out of the rain. I turned around, not able to see anything and ran right into a brick wall. ..on the track? When my eyes and senses cleared I looked up and realized I had run right into Eddington. Thank goodness he never even flinched.
Good morning Steve. That paragraph describing Durkin’s call is as good as it gets. Brought me right back. Also the Birdstone Travers deserves the Haskin treatment. The 2004 Travers: For eight minutes after the race, the crowd, which was mostly on the apron getting soaked for two minutes just moments before, was now packed , steaming with humidity and sweat, on the main floor of the clubhouse. After eight minutes, those standing on the exit lane , marked by yellow floor paint were abruptly removed by six peace officers surrounding Marylou, all 4’11” of her in dripping blue finery passing through the noisy well wishers and applause. Following this, five more guys In blue pushed through the crowd protecting Edgar. The whole event was epic. Thanks for your good writing. That’s epic too
Great description of those crazy moments. you nailed it.
Steve, that is one of your best anecdotes. It makes my giggle every time. Especially, as the conditions were so shocking it doesn’t surprise you at all.
It was weird turning around and walking right into a horse.
Steve, Thanks so so much for the article…wat a great perspective…i didn’t really hate birdstone but knew very little about him and the fact that he was a tough little guy with a big heart is great to know and that he is now home safe! I recently may be two years ago or was it one, i think you were there, so smarty jones on his last walk on the track…he looked wonderful and to see john servis and mrs chapman was really cool…mr servis commented on my hat as i had one that i had bought last time smarty had galloped on that track i think it was b4 the belmont. Everybody was so nice and still happy to see smarty…im so glad to have found your articles on secretariat.com…bloodhorse lost a jewel…i read them less now!
Great to have you here, Eileen. I was indeed there that day. I wouldnt have missed it. My wife and were in the paddock with Smarty and in the winner’s circle. That was a memorable day. And, yes, Smarty looked fantastic.
That Belmont crushed me like no race other than Cigar’s Pacific Classic and Zenyatta’s loss to Blame. I thought the Whitneys’ classy response helped cushion the blow.
The horses just do what they do. (I still am peeved with the other jockeys in that Belmont, though. None of their horses had a real chance, but their hot pursuit burned Smarty up– though that’s racing.)
Enjoy retirement, Birdstone. You are at the best place to do so.
Would it not be a great day if Smarty could also retire to Old Friends. Yes I too was sad that day but I never hated any horse for winning. If they race long enough all the greats may get beat but that does not diminish their greatness.Sometimes the loss only enhances a champions caliber for me. Thanks Steve for another wonderful article.
I can’t speak for Pat, but I am going to predict that Smarty does wind up at Old Friends. At least I hope so. What an attraction he would be. I really want to see him and Birdstone in adjoining paddocks and becoming good buddies.
That would be perfect!
Well, that’s horse racing, isn’t it? Like everyone else I was in shock at the end. But to denigrate little Birdstone, never crossed my mind. That race made me think more highly of the little guy. Glad he’s going to Old Friends and hope he gets millions of visitors.
How’s that Dr. Ho’s back product working for you and your wife?
LOL, actually I havent ordered it yet. One of these days I will get around to it…I hope. I know I’m going to need it one day.
Someone asked how tall Birdstone is. 15.3 hands. Maybe an inch taller than Northern Dancer.
This was such a good read..in a neat sweet way this story reminded me of my sweet daddy. He was short in stature yet big in Heart and impacted many people’s lives. Sometimes the one we think will win as great as they are and we love them too for some reason takes a back step to one who perhaps needed a win for another reason. That reason we may never understand or know why it turned out the way it did. The gentleman who spoke of The Angels games reminded me of the yrs my sweet Uncle Jim was The Laison at The CA Angels Ball club and how he helped bring the fans and players together as one. Every time I read your stories, I feel as though the horses and the fans are one big family who impact each other’s lives for the better. Thank you for bringing us this perspective on this story. Often we can take allegories in our own lives from your sweet horse stories and bring new perspectives in our own l8ves as well.
Thank you for sharing. Just reading this made me feel like I stepped back in time on a movie screen of watching the race and those events you described so eloquently.
Thank you very much, Theresa. I’m glad it brought back family memories. I admire Mike Troutt for persevering with the Angels, who seem to underachive every year.
Great article, Steve. Through the years I’ve forgiven Blame for his upset against Zenyatta, and I have to admit, I’ve been a Birdstone fan for years. Every time I visited Tapit at Gainesway I’d ask to have Birdstone shown. What a beautifully proportioned stallion. Everything about this plain bay was perfectly put together. Glad to hear he will now get spoiled by Michael and staff. You can’t be angry with a horse owned by Mrs. Whitney. Thanks for the reminder!
Great story, Steve. Do you know how tall Birdstone is? I keep hearing him described as “diminutive.” I’d love to hear more about the smaller thoroughbreds. Hyperion was small too, wasn’t he?
As Ann said above he is 15.3, about the same size as Smarty…both little giants.
First Blame, and now Birdstone! I was and will always be a huge Smarty fan and a huge Zenyatta fan. Thank you for reminding me that horses do what they are bred to and that some have hearts as big or bigger than their bodies. Both Blame and Birdstone won giving their best and I applaud them.
Good for you. Thats the way everyone should think. I remember when Fort Marcy beat Damascus a nose in the D.C. International. I was crushed but came to root like crazy for Fort Marcy.
Good read and could not help but going to the past again. So there was the great match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. Seabiscuit got retired and had a good home but nobody wanted him as a sire except the owners. Hope they care for him like he deserves.
I volunteer at OF and was really happy to see the many well wishes welcoming Birdstone. Of course, we are also home to Alphabet Soup, Touch Gold and Sarava, so he will be in good company! We are privileged to have them! Thank you.
Cigar actually finished third to Alphabet Soup, but Birdstone beating Smarty close to the wire is what hurt most everyone, just like Touch Gold, who never got the ill feelings Birdstone got
I was among those devastated when Smarty Jones lost to Birdstone. But I cannot tell you how
much it meant to hear Marylou Whitney acknowledge how people were feeling and that she
had not expected Birdstone to win. It was probably the most graceful and empathetic moment in horse
racing for me. It took the sting out of that loss considerably. I felt terrible for Smarty’s owners and John
Servis. But he was beaten that day by a gutsy little horse who did not receive the accolades he should have.
I think one thing that hits home to me is that in situation where a favored and beloved horse is
expected to win, and doesn’t, the winning horse is given short shrift. We look for reasons why the favored
horse did not win instead of acknowledging how good the winner was. As a fan, I know I need to think
about that next time. All horses are deserving in Michael Bowen’s world and he will make sure Birdstone is
treated like a prince and be will be well loved.
Of course I was a Smarty Jones Fan. he was such an easy horse to root for. And it was a big let down. But Birdstone won it fair and square and he deserved all the praise and accolades of a Belmont Stakes winner. Mrs. Whitney was so ladylike and such a great sports person. Some of the crowd booed. You could hear on the TV. I really appreciate your telling us the backstory and how Mr. Abreau Never ever gave up on his Little Man. Every thoroughbred has such an incredible tale of their beginning and you really helped me love Birdstone even more. Especially for giving us The Birdy and his brother Summer Bird.
He will love his life at Old Friends and I cannot wait to go meet him. I met Smarty at Three Chimneys. So I feel really lucky. These horses are food for the soul especially during this shutdown.
I have always been a Birdstone fan. I particularly love the little runners who run huge. And the Traver’s was such a great win for Marylou Whitney, and really showed that he was a deserving winner of the Belmont too.
He was a race horse, he did what was asked of him, no one should ever fault him for that.
Another great read Steve but for me it wasn’t necessary. I grew up just blocks away from Angel Stadium and learned early on if you got beat, you got beat, the other team was better and that’s that. I carried that lesson with me into horse racing. I’ve been beaten by many a long shot but I harbor malice towards none especially after watching the replays. How could you not love these equine athletes? Their grit and determination, even if they only do it once like Mine That Bird or Silky Sullivan is praise worthy. They don’t know they’re supposed to lose. I hope I get to see him at Old Friends and tell him what a fine race horse he is.
Thanks Dale. Very well said.
Great article as usual. How could I hate Birdstone for doing his job? Sure, I was disappointed that Smarty lost, I (like others) was starving for a triple crown and Smarty’s story was so compelling. He was the little horse that could – but Birdstone was the better horse that day. Glad Birdstone landed in a soft place, can’t wait for things to get back to normal so I can visit him and all the others at my favorite destination, Old Friends.
Steve, I was a fan and believed in Birdstone all that year. I saw him in the Champagne and I got bit!. I’ll never forget Zito at the Derby Draw when Battaglia put him at 40 to 1 so he supposedly threw a shoe in the Derby. No reason to get off him. I’ll never forget that Derby I’m at OTB and somebody asked me about the Derby and how to handicap it . I said to him the Derby is like climbing Mt. Everest then I looked at the Churchill monitor and said now its a monsoon. Fortunately my 5 horse tri came in. For Belmont that week when ever somebody came up to me the first thing out of my mouth was “BIRDSTONE” some people thought I was crazy but that’s what happens when your bit. I felt bad for Smarty but I was in love with BIRDSTONE and always will be. I have to get down to Old Friends to see him and stop buy the Hall of Champions. They all deserve a bow from me!
I recall that race and remember little Birdstone. For some reason, the thing I remember the most is that I thought what a good pair Nick Zito and Birdstone were, even before he raced. I was disappointed for Smarty, but was pretty happy for the little guy who gave so much. Thanks for reminding us of that day, Steve.
I was there at Belmont the day he beat Smarty Jones and loved every minute of it because I made a wager on Birdstone. I loved him so much I bought one of his sons at Saratoga a few years later. Heir to the Stone! Looking forward to seeing Birdstone on my next visit to Old Friends. Thanks for this story.
Yes, as upsetting as Smarty’s loss was, it can’t be denied that Birdstone was the real deal and you can’t fault a horse that can go the classic distance of a mile and half. I look forward to seeing him at Old Friends!
Wonderful Steve! I was one of the 120,000 @ Belmont to watch Smarty Jones race into history. It was a sad when Smarty lost but Birdstone was best that day. I had him on my mutual ticket because of Zito, Prado & Marylou Whitney. I didn’t have him to win but a friend won over $700 with her $10 exacta box! She wasn’t much of a handicapper. She picked Birdstone because she loved birds & recently had stone work done on her patio. When Smarty lost, she was devastated- on the ground sobbing. It was awhile before we were able to calm her down & remind her of her bet. In the end winning softened the blow for her. The money paid to replace her broken clothes washer. Many memories from that day & Birdstone always has a part.I’m looking forward to visiting Old Friends in person one day. I’d very much like to meet “Little Man” & if possible I’ll bring my friend.
Thanks, Jul, I hope you get there and, yes, bring your friend
Good Lord willing Steve. My friend’s 82 next month.
Yes Birdstone won fair and square that day and everyones heart was broken for Smarty including mine but you cannot blame a horse for doing what they are trained to do. The only other sad loss in my lifetime was when Blame beat Zenyatta. Now you talk about a horse that was hated I cried and I cried and I cried some more and hated him. Now with time and seeing him at Claiborne farm I can at least tolerate him.
I’ve always loved Birdstone and look forward to seeing him at Old Friends.
As usual, a wonderful read that brings history alive. Like everyone else, I was hugely disappointed when Smarty lost. But Birdstone won the race fair and square, and proved later he was not a fluke. He was a good horse.
Thank you very much, Karen.
I was at Belmont that day, smashed up against the rail, and I remember how devastating it was. I’ve never been able to watch the race on video. I certainly didn’t hold it against the horse though, and in fact my husband made money that day because he was asking for a long shot to bet on and I told him Birdstone was a good option. But, Belmont aside, I have watched Birdstone’s Travers more than once. He was a wonderful runner, and I’m sorry he didn’t do more at stud.
What a delightful article and so nice to see little Birdstone get some love. Thank you!
Thanks so much. I found it hard to watch the race, too. I never held it against Birdstone. I just felt so badly for Smarty and for all the people there. But me heals all wounds and it’s time for Birdstone to finally get some love.
Birdstone won, he wasn’t best but he won…..it wasn’t his fault he was moving best at the finish, and he easily went by…..sired Summer Bird, I thought Summer Bird was underrated, thought he was really good…..Zito won two Derbys and then hit a long period of so-so horses, top bloodlines but not too many big players—Summer Bird was a top horse, perhaps Zito’s best. Birdstone will forever be “that horse”….but he won some big races and sired himself!
MY BAD—Summer Bird was trained by Tim Ice! Zito trained for a stable—lots of well bred horses but not necessarily good race horses, perhaps Albert the Great was his best—there was a big lull between top horses for Zito, but he still plugs away—and he is a character….I remember him talking about Strike the Gold—who I picked to win the Derby—he didn’t win too many races after that, but Zito kept saying he was “good as gold”, or something like that….
Great article! I feel guilty now for ever hating on Birdstone. Now I need to forgive Blame…
LOL. Good for you, Kathy. I actually wrot a similar type column on Blame on Bloodhorse earlier in the year. But I am glad you have forgiven Birdstone.
Another wonderful article Steve. Of course I was rooting for Smarty Jones in the Belmont but Birdstone won it fair and square. I, for one, have never faulted him. I love it that he is at Old Friends. Michael B will have him so spoiled. I look forward to visiting him there and if Smarty Jones ends up there I hope they can run and play in paddocks next to each other. ❤️
That is so great, Pat. Thank you. And thanks so much writing. I look forward to seeing you in the not too distant future. And how great would that be to see Smarty at Old Friends and buddying up with Birdstone. That would serve as a good example for people 🙂
A good word from you might help to get side by side paddocks!
Pat…If Smarty Jones gets to retire at Old Friends he can have any paddock he wants (the only exception is Silver Charm’s..Thanks so much. Looking forward to seeing you soon..
It’s called horse racing. I remember the race. Mine that Bird was simply better that race. Enough said.
BIRDSTONE, sorry.
See how little respect Birdstone gets. LOL. Just kidding, Karen.
He won so fairly I’m from The Philadelphia suburbs and was so rooting for Smarty and when the Lady of Horse Racing apologizes how could you be mad Yes he belongs at Old Friends❣️
Good for you, Barbara.