The Unforgettable Journey of Smarty Jones – Part 2
Once again it has taken an inordinate amount words to tell the final part of the Smarty Jones story. But it is the only way to tell it. To those who didn’t read Part 1 you can go there first by clicking here. ~ Steve Haskin
The Unforgettable Journey of Smarty Jones – Part 2
By Steve Haskin
The Kentucky Derby was history, and for two glorious weeks the city of Baltimore and the town of Bensalem, where Philadelphia Park is located, were a whirlwind of excitement, not seen in that area since the Philadelphia Flyers paraded down Broad Street following their first ever Stanley Cup championship 30 years earlier.
The buttons made up by the Pennsylvania Thoroughbreds Horse Breeders’ Association said it all: “Smarty Jones the real Philadelphia flyer.”
But in the Triple Crown, fairy tales can quickly succumb to the harsh intrusion of reality. The two weeks of celebration were quickly over and it was now time for the Preakness Stakes, with new conditions and new opponents to deal with.
Trainer John Servis felt the Preakness would be the toughest race of Smarty’s career. Kentucky Derby runner-up Lion Heart was back, and with three 2004 starts under him now he figured to be tougher this time. The connections of third-place finisher Imperialism, who had a disastrous trip in the Derby, decided to try Smarty Jones again. Also returning from the Derby field were The Cliff’s Edge, who lost two front shoes in the race; Borrego, who had chased Smarty home in the Arkansas Derby; and Song of the Sword. Two new dangers were the fresh horses, Eddington and Rock Hard Ten, who missed the Derby because he was disqualified from second and placed third in the Santa Anita Derby. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens flew in from France to ride the imposing colt. The field was completed with Maryland’s hero, Water Cannon, winner of five straight, as well as Derby Trial winner Sir Shackleton and the locally based Little Matth Man.
Lion Heart’s trainer, Patrick Biancone, offered only a sly grin and a French twinkle in his eye to anyone who asked him about strategy. It was like Napoleon divulging his plans for the battle of Austerlitz. But when Biancone drew number 1, which back then determined selection order, not post position, and selected post 1 the secret was pretty much out.
Biancone commended Smarty Jones’ jockey, Stewart Elliott, for his ride in the Derby. He had been hoping Elliott would tackle Lion Heart at the half-mile pole, because his colt was much stronger going into turns than coming out of them, and Biancone was confident Lion Heart could have repulsed the challenge. But Elliott didn’t go for it. He waited, taking on the gutsy chestnut nearing the quarter pole. Biancone also praised Servis for selecting post seven at the Wednesday night draw.
“He’s shrewd,” Biancone said the following morning. “He looks at the statistics. He knows that (post) 8 and out on this track you’re dead. So he takes seven to make sure I don’t go outside of him. Yes, he’s shrewd. Trust me, he’s a good trainer. He knows what he’s doing. All I can do is try to beat Smarty Jones, and if we don’t I will take my hat off to him again. He’s a tough cookie and a great champion.”
The closer the Preakness got the more frenzied Smarty Fever became. Credential requests went from a record high 1,548 the previous year with Funny Cide to 1,706. Requests from Philadelphia newspapers and TV and radio stations skyrocketed from two in 2003 to more than 100. By the end of Friday’s early bird wagering, $600,000 had been bet on Smarty Jones at Philadelphia Park, which was more than its fans bet on the entire 18-horse Kentucky Derby field.
Preakness morning brought with it a blanket of stagnant air and an oppressive heat that increased as the day went on. Servis showed up at the barn and appeared cool and calm. But he was shocked later that afternoon when he was told the undefeated Smarty Jones was the 2-5 favorite. “No way,” he said. “That’s the kiss of death.”
Smarty closed at 7-10, with Lion Heart next at 9-2, and Rock Hard Ten and Imperialism at 6-1. A record crowd of 112,668 poured through the gate, topping the old record of 104,454.
At 6:25 they were off, with Smarty Jones almost out-breaking the gate. Lion Heart came charging up along the inside to take a narrow lead over Smarty into the clubhouse turn, with Imperialism surprisingly third, followed by Song of the Sword and Sir Shackleton. Rock Hard Ten was back in seventh, but only about five lengths off the lead.
Lion Heart again surged to the lead, cutting out fractions of :23 3/5 and :47 1/5 over the deep track. Although the Derby runner-up took the first turn wide, Elliott elected to stay outside him and remain in control.
Smarty Jones and Elliott, as usual, were poetry in motion down the backstretch. Smarty stalks his opponents like a cheetah waiting to pounce on its prey. Once he does, the attack is swift and deadly. Lion Heart increased his lead to 2 1/2 lengths, but was still wide, remaining out in the middle of the track around the far turn. “My horse was running so easy, I just took him to the inside and he did the rest,” Elliott said.
Smarty Jones’ power and class and his smooth effortless way of moving is something rarely witnessed. Unlike the Derby, Lion Heart had no answer for Smarty, who charged past him on the inside. No one was threatening from behind, and the crowd, sensing the procession that was to follow, let out a long, sustained roar. Elliott gave a couple of underhanded flicks of the whip, then sat back and enjoyed the rest of the trip, as Smarty tore through the wall of noise, increasing his margin with every stride. He kept throwing his ears around as if he were out for an afternoon romp in the field, then cocked them straight up as he crossed the finish line.
Stevens made a good run to finish second with Rock Hard Ten, but could only admire the chestnut figure getting smaller and smaller off in the distance. “That horse is as good as any horse I’ve ever seen,” Stevens said. “He really reminded me of Secretariat the way he pulled away. I asked my horse for another gear and he gave it to me, and I thought I had shot turning for home, but Smarty had seven gears left.”
Smarty kept pouring it on, winning by a record 11 ½ lengths. His final fractions on the way to a final clocking of 1:55 2/5 were :24 4/5 and :19 flat, which were amazing on such a deep racetrack and never being asked to run in the stretch. With the victory, Smarty Jones was now undefeated in eight starts.
As Smarty returned after the race, his hotwalker and constant companion Bill Foster seemed numb and at a loss for words, “Awesome,” he said as he looked off in the distance for his horse. “He’s a runnin’ machine.”
Donna Chapman, daughter of Roy and Pat Chapman, was sobbing uncontrollably. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe it,” she said, cupping her hands over her mouth. “He blew everybody away.”
Also having difficulty holding back the tears was trainer John Servis’ wife, Sherry. “I’m so shaken,” she said, her voice quavering noticeably. “It’s just a gift from God.”
Everywhere you went after the race, the word “freak” was heard, as emotions ran rampant. Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, who had become one of Smarty Jones’ biggest fans, spoke with a fervor reminiscent of one of his own political rallies. “That was just awesome, wasn’t it?” he said. “It was great for Pennsylvania, but it was great for racing. You look at this little horse and you compare him size-wise to the others and you ask, ‘How does he do it?’ It’s right in here (pointing to his heart). If he wins the Triple Crown, people in Philadelphia will want him to be trucked down Broad Street. The best thing to be tonight in terms of money is a Philadelphia bar owner.”
Back in Philly, several thousand fans attending the Flyers/Lightning Stanley Cup playoff game remained at the Wachovia Center after the Flyers’ victory to cheer on Smarty Jones.
Even from afar, Smarty Jones’ greatness could be felt by hard-core realists. “I believe he’s as good as any Triple Crown winner, and one of the greatest horses of all time,” said Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who watched in New York. “He has no chinks in his armor. When they made this horse they threw away the mold.”
Looking ahead to the next three weeks, Servis said, “We’re gonna have fun in Philly.” Owner Roy Chapman, as crusty as ever, had everyone in stitches in his defense of his rider, who had just given a description of the running of the race. “When he was getting aboard that horse in Kentucky, someone called him ‘Stu Who, a novice rider,’ ” Chapman said. “You just heard him describe that race. If that sounds like a novice rider I’ll kiss your you know what.”
He later added, “I want to make one announcement. I love the press, but my wife and I are going to take up residence in Nome, Alaska for the next three weeks. We’ll see you in New York.”
Following the post-race interviews, John and Sherry Servis made their way through the grandstand, stopping briefly to watch the replay of the Preakness for the first time. When it was over, John turned around and shook his head in amazement.
“I feel like I’m in a dream and I’m watching everything moving around me, Sherry said. “It gives me chills every time I think that it’s really happening. You look back at all the years of hard work and you ask, ‘OK, when is it all going to stop?’ And whenever you think it’s going to stop it gets harder again. And then, out of nowhere, something like this happens. It’s scary how everything has fallen into place and worked out just as John had planned. It’s like you’re reading it in a book.”
By now, a crowd had gathered and followed the Servises, with the chant of “Smarty! Smarty!” starting up again. Sherry could only watch with pride as John signed autographs and posed for pictures. As they finally broke free and headed to a party at the stakes barn, John turned to the security officer leading him and said, “I’m glad you’re with me; I know that.”
The party lasted well into the night, and as morning broke, the only remnants remaining outside the stakes barn were littered beer cans and water bottles. Smarty Jones nibbled on hay, occasionally nuzzling his pony and buddy Butterscotch next door. When Servis showed up, he went over to check on Smarty, and groom Juan Arriaga showed him the colt’s feed tub that had been licked clean.
Amazingly, Smarty was on the muscle as he had his poultice removed and was washed down. He shoved Servis around and kept nipping at him until the trainer finally had to give him the leather strap of the shank to bite on to keep him occupied. At around 10 o’clock, Smarty headed home to Philly Park and another hero’s welcome. Soon, he would be off to Belmont Park, where immortality awaited. People all over the country truly believed this time there would be a happy ending when the clock strikes midnight.
What transpired over the next three weeks and became known as “Smartymania” can only be described as a phenomenon. The people of Philadelphia embrace their heroes like small-town folk. They turned the fictitious Hollywood character Rocky Balboa into a living, breathing legend. Now, in Smarty Jones they had the real Rocky, a four-legged brawler with a heart as big as the Liberty Bell.
Smarty was now a national hero, and in those wild and crazy weeks leading up to the Belmont Servis threw out the first pitch at a Phillies’ game and Elliott opened the New York Stock Exchange. Servis attended schools in Bensalem to talk to the students. Chapman Motors set records in car sales, with some people stopping in just as if it was a tourist attraction. Hundreds of thousands of letters poured in, many from children, addressed to Smarty Jones or Servis or the Chapmans.
One letter addressed to Smarty Jones read, “Dear Smarty Jones, My name is Beach Cutler. I’m 10 years old and I’m a fifth grader. I live on Captiva Island in Florida. I watched you win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. You’ve lifted my spirits and even though I breathe through a ventilator, I feel as lucky as you. You have inspired me to run like a racehorse when I’m walking with my physical therapist and when I walk in the pool with my mom. My nurse times me when I’m pretending to race. I even whinny like a horse.
“The next time you get your horseshoes changed, perhaps you could save one for me. That would be GREAT! And please let your owner, Mr. Chapman, know that we are also cheering for him to be in the best of health. I hope that this letter gets to you, and that you know how much your incredible horse spirit has done for everyone. Happy racing, Beach.”
If anyone thought that first Saturday after the Derby was special when Smarty galloped before a huge crowd at Philly Park, it couldn’t compare to the first Saturday after the Preakness when the racetrack again opened its gates.
Smarty Jones’ open-house gallop this time drew around 10,000 fans, some of whom showed up as early as 5 a.m. Once the doors opened just before 8 it was a mad dash to secure choice spots along the rail.
Soon, the rows of fans, lined nine and 10 deep, stretched all the way to the quarter pole. Traffic on Street Road was backed up for miles in both directions starting around 7:20. By then, the lines outside the doors had reached all the way to the parking lot, some 200 yards away.
Fans of all ages proudly displayed their Smarty Jones hats and T-shirts, and held up their homemade signs. By 8:15, so many people had poured into the track they had to open the second floor of the grandstand, which filled up in a matter a minutes. Only one merchandising table was set up, and there were hundreds of people gathered around, trying to purchase their Smarty Jones souvenirs. This morning was the height of Smarty Jones fever, and it was as if all of the Philadelphia area was afflicted.
Finally, it was time to leave Philly Park and head to Belmont Park. But Smartymania was far from over.
The morning Smarty vanned to Belmont was a scene that transcended anything Thoroughbred racing had ever seen. At 8:45, with the van already there, Smarty was taken out to graze. At 9:30, with three helicopters disrupting the morning silence, two motorcycle police officers arrived, ready to escort Smarty on the first leg of his journey.
Officer John Henehan thought he had seen it all. Six months earlier he had escorted President Bush. Now here he was providing the same service for a horse. “That was pretty special, but you have to take it seriously no matter who you’re escorting,” he said. The other officer, John Gladu,, hopped off his motorcycle and immediately removed his helmet and sunglasses and put on a Smarty Jones hat, then took out his camera and began taking pictures of Smarty standing in a grassy paddock adjacent to the loading ramp. “Hey, I’m just a fan.” he said.
Soon they were off, as people all along neighboring Galloway Road stood in front of their homes photographing and videotaping the van as it went by. Others just gave a double thumbs up, several shouting, “Go get ’em, Smarty.” Two Bensalem police cars blocked traffic on busy Street Road, the main thoroughfare in Bensalem, while an unmarked police car tucked in behind the van. At the tollbooth for the Pennsylvania Turnpike all the toll takers gathered outside the booths, applauding and cheering for Smarty Jones as he moved through. Shortly after getting on the turnpike, the van passed a billboard that read, “Look out New York, Smarty’s Coming!” People even gathered on a grassy hill behind a turnpike rest area just to watch Smarty go by.
Approaching the toll booths and the New Jersey state line, Henehan and Gladu made a u-turn and waved to everyone on the van. “OK, guys, good luck,” Gladu shouted.
After leaving Pennsylvania, the van was picked up by New Jersey state troopers, who escorted them up the New Jersey turnpike to the George Washington Bridge where New York police officers were waiting to escort the van on the final leg of the trip. It certainly was the first time a horse was given a three state escort.
The van arrived at Belmont Park with a horde of photographers and other media members waiting. Smarty stepped off the van and took up residence in the same barn that had been home to Secretariat.
What happened after that was something Smarty Jones fans would rather forget, and it still haunts them 20 years later.
Race day started out with great promise with a record crowd of 120,139 making spacious Belmont Park seem much smaller. After 26 years without a Triple Crown winner, this was going to be the year. You could feel it. Divine forces were guiding Smarty Jones up the sacred slopes of Mt. Olympus. A mile and a half away, the pantheon was in sight. Every step to this point had been perfectly orchestrated, and Smarty’s ascent to immortality seemed written in the stars.
What added to the historical significance of the event was the rumor that Time magazine was planning to put Smarty Jones on the cover if he was victorious in the Belmont. But then came a feeling of foreboding when it was learned that former President Ronald Reagan had passed away that morning at age 93, knocking Smarty off the cover regardless of the result.
As the race drew near the excitement began to build. When the fans on the apron recognized Gov. Rendell in his box he stood up and led them in a cheer: ‘Gimme an S…gimme an M…gimme an A…’ As he said, “It was crazy; people were going nuts.”
If there was one thing that worried Servis leading up to the Belmont it was that Smarty had “a bullseye” on his back and some of the jockeys would focus their attention on getting him rank and hampering his ability to get the mile and a half. As it turned out his fears came true.
Smarty Jones broke sharply from the outside post in the field of nine and outran Eddington to the first turn. Elliott tried to take a hold of him and get position, but Alex Solis on Rock Hard Ten floated him out going into the first turn. Purge, breaking from post 2, showed good speed and held a slight advantage over Rock Hard Ten, with Smarty Jones in good position just outside those two.
The opening two fractions were tame enough, but the tempo picked up noticeably when Jerry Bailey sent the late-running Eddington up to challenge outside Smarty Jones. Rock Hard Ten then made another move at him from the inside. Servis could tell Smarty was not as relaxed as he had been in the Derby and Preakness.
“When he was dragging Stewie out of the saddle on the backside, I had a bad feeling,” Servis said. “You can’t do that and win going a mile and a half. That was one of the things that helped us in the Derby and the Preakness; he relaxed so well. He just didn’t relax today.”
With Elliott feeling the pressure from Eddington on his outside and Rock Hard Ten and Purge on his inside, he 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. Running the third quarter in a mile and a half race in under :23 seconds was unheard of. By the three-eighths pole, Smarty had managed to run his three main threats into the ground and quickly opened a clear lead as the crowd went crazy. The three big contenders had sacrificed their own chances and were cooked. It looked as if history was about to be made. But then the familiar silks of Marylou Whitney on Birdstone appeared on the scene. Smarty started feeling the effects of his early battle and fractions and was shortening stride, while Birdstone was a fresh horse. But with a three-length lead over a 36-1 shot victory still seemed within his grasp
We’ll let track announcer Tom Durkin pick it from here: “And Smarty Jones enters the stretch to the roar of 120,000. 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.”
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 said.
It was as if Durkin like everyone was urging him, almost pleading with him, to hold on. “Birdstone is an outside threat,” he called. “They’re coming down to the finish. Can Smarty Jones hold on? Here comes Birdstone. Birdstone surges past.” And as Smarty’s valiant Triple Crown bid fell a length short in the final strides, Durkin’s voice went somber. “Birdstone … wins … the … Belmont … Stakes,” his last three words dropping as if it had been pushed off a cliff.
“The New York Times the following day called it probably the most non-celebratory call in sports history,” Durkin said.
In the stands, people were crying. Even 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 Mrs. Whitney’s husband John Hendrickson could say was, “No, that was bad.”
Servis came over to Birdstone’s trainer Nick 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.”
In reflecting on the race and what happened to Smarty Jones that day, Durkin said as if dumbfounded, “He ran the third quarter in :22 4/5 … in a mile-and-a-half race? Oh, good lord.” Then he paused for a second and said in disgust, “Ugh, too bad.”
Governor Rendell commented, “I thought it was going to happen at the top of the stretch, but then it all began to unravel before our eyes. It was the saddest thing I can remember in sports. I was so depressed I couldn’t shake it off for weeks. But it was a great ride.”
Many racing fans to this day refuse to watch the Belmont Stakes. One person said, “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.”
Two others said, “It was following Smarty that got me into horse racing. I still love him so much!! That Belmont about killed me!! Talk about crying my eyes out!”
“His story was so compelling, so heartwarming. The outcome of the 2004 Belmont Stakes was like the worst kind of cruelty joke.”
And finally one person later noted, “My son was born June 28, 2004. I tease him by saying that he was a half-length away from being named Smarty Jones.”
Sadly, Smarty Jones never raced again, retired with severe bone bruising. On August 14 of that year he again drew a huge crowd to Philly Park, but this time to say goodbye. They came decked out in Smarty hats and shirts, with young children holding up signs.
Even as a stallion Smarty touched people’s hearts. One special visitor he had at Three Chimneys Farm was 9-year-old Patrick Monroe from Long Island. As an infant, Patrick suffered from water on the brain and had to have surgery to place tubing inside his body to move the water from his brain to his abdomen. When he was 4, the tube malfunctioned on Christmas Eve night and he awoke Christmas morning to the realization he was blind. Then, in late 2003, his father, a Long Island firefighter, passed away. Months later, Patrick discovered horses and began taking riding lessons at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian for kids with disabilities.
His only wish was to meet his favorite athlete, Smarty Jones. He didn’t need his eyes to see his beauty. All he wanted to do was touch him. Through the Make-a-Wish Foundation and ESPN’s My Wish Series, Patrick was brought to Three Chimneys Farm to meet his hero. Wearing his Smarty Jones hat, he was taken to the horse and proceeded to stroke Smarty along his withers, on his neck, and on the side of his head. He then was brought outside as Smarty was being turned out so he could hear him galloping at full speed across his paddock. From the look on his face, he clearly could see the horse in his mind’s eye. Before leaving, Patrick was given a braided lock of Smarty’s mane, as well as other gifts. That lock of mane would be proudly displayed alongside his ribbons, a reminder of one of the most memorable days of his life.
Smarty Jones had passed through a portal that will remain frozen in time. He was the ruler of all Turfdom, a national hero to children and adults of all ages. He turned virtual unknowns, like John Servis, Roy ad Pat Chapman, Stewart Elliott, Bill Foster, Pete Van Trump, and Dr. Patricia Hogan into household names. He had the city of Philadelphia and the small suburb of Bensalem fighting over him like two jealous suitors. He turned Philly cheese steaks and soft pretzels into comfort food. He turned apathy into exultation with his victories and exultation into sorrow with his lone defeat and early departure from racing. Whatever greatness he might have achieved will remain in one’s mind, like an unfinished manuscript filled with beautiful prose.
But looking back 20 years, who’s to say that Smarty Jones never finished his manuscript?
H.G. Wells said, “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.”
Smarty Jones shoveled plenty of sand into the box early on to lure the readers in and keep them intrigued, but in the end he was able to build castles that will stand erect as long as his story is passed on through the generations. When he walked up the stretch at Philadelphia Park on that August afternoon, passing the cheering and sobbing fans for the last time, raindrops began to fall. The final castle had been built. No writer could have asked for more.
(Postscript: Smarty Jones spent several years at Three Chimneys Farm before being sent back home to Pennsylvania at Ghost Ridge Farms. He then was sent to Uruguay for a couple of years and then to Calumet Farm, shuttling back to Uruguay for the 2017 and ’18 breeding seasons. He now resides at stud at Rodney Eckenrode’s Equistar Farm near Annville, Pennsylvania.)
Photos courtesy of Juan Ignacio Bozzello, Jim McCue – Maryland Jockey Club, Sports Illustrated, Bob Coglianese – New York Racing Association.
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
I remember that Saturday in June vividly. Smarty had captured the first two legs of the triple crown and all week kept saying to myself he’s going to do it, finally after 26 years we are going to have a triple crown champion! Instead of driving to Woodbine Racetrack, I went to my local OTB where it would more quiet and relaxed. I sat there at my table in the smoking room ( yes we could smoke indoors back then ) as the races progressed and then its time for the Belmont. The one hour to post time seemed like an eternity to wind down, and then they’re off. Down the backstretch Smarty is on the lead and going easily, two orders take their shots at him and repels them both but Birdstone is starting to advance. Around the turn he starts to open his lead and turns for home with a three length lead. At that myself and the other ten or so patrons all stood up from our chairs as if it we had rehearsed it. I thought to myself we are going to see history today! But we know what happened, Smarty’s efforts to turn back his challengers down the backside took its toll and couldn’t hold off Birdstone. As he went by him coming to the wire we all stood there in stunned disbelief as to what had just happened, no one said a word, we all just sat back down and tried to digest what had just happened. After few minutes of wondering what if, all one can do is turn the page and move on, but knowing deep down, even though he finished second, we had just seen a Championship performance. Steve, I love reading your stories, especially about the earlier years for they take me back to a simpler time when life was easier and people respected each other. Keep up the great work that you do as I look forward to your future articles. Thanks jomat.
Oh how the tears fell at my home while watching Smarty. But on that special day, the best horse of that day won…. I heard the crowd booing,
which caused me to feel very bad for Mrs. .Whitney. It was a noble Smarty, A classy John Servis, and the jockey .
later , when he was at Three Chimneys I had the trip of a lifetime to Kentucky specifically to visit with Smarty Jones. I have many photos. what an incredible farm and experience. Thank you Steve for allowing me to go back and enjoy all those amazing memories. I have re read part 1 and will do both
again.
I wish Smarty A healthy, long life. A CHAMPION FOREVER.
Steve Love reading your stories and input especially leading up to the Triple Crown. Its time for The Belmont and being Canadian, I think back to 1964 and Northern Dancer. Its’ the first saturday in May and being 14yrs old didn’t know the significance of The Kentucky Derby. A pre-race interview with jockey Bill Hartack was asked his plan for the race and replied he sit third or fourth, move on the turn and hope to win. That’s how the race unfolded and thought, wow just like he planned. At the end of the telecast we were told The Preakness would be in two weeks, I could hardly wait to see the little horse from Canada again and we know the result. Then it’s on to The Belmont, were the main threat to the Dancer was Hill rise and Bill Shoemaker. I remember reading a story after the race the two jockeys were eyeing each other to see who moved first, but Quadrangle got first run on the leader, ran his last half in 49 flat and won going away. Great introduction into the world of horse racing. In this weeks Belmont, I wish good luck and safe trip to all. It should be another great race. Thanks jomat.
My Dad had posters of Northern Dancer winning, in the rec. room, those impressionistic ones. Really big story in Canada.
The first phhoto I ever took of my daughter with a famous horse was wth Northern Dancer when she was 10 months old. That opened the floodgate.
Another wonderful story to bring back the memories!! Thank you Steve!!
Thanks Joanne.
Charm Your World is a 3yo filly, full sister to Rock Your World, and she paid $55 to win her debut race going away…tomorrow in the Santa Anita sixth race she’s 6-1 morning line….What I love about her is—Ron MacAnally couldn’t find any owners so he bred his own, using his yearly mating to Candy Ride that was gifted to him, for his services rendered, and that is how he stays in the game! I didn’t get the $55, but 6-1 is OK!…
Great Story.
Steve and Pat,
Just stopping by long enough to reiterate once again how much I love Smarty and how heartbroken I was when he lost the Belmont.
He has always been and always will be on my little list of Thoroughbreds that I hold in a special place in my heart.
Hope that someday he makes it into the Hall of Fame, he is so deserving of that honor.
Thank you Steve, as always, for the journeys your words take us on.
Pat, thank you for joining in the conversation.
Lynda! Thank you for reiterating! Appreciate it. Let me tell you how I look at Smarty’s Belmont: He WON 2nd place, not bad!, in the toughest race, and possibly the best race of his life. I NEVER say he lost the Belmont. Look how many jockeys it took to wear him down enough so that another fresh horse could pass him, and how far back they finished. I love the way Steve tells his story! ❤️
So well put Pat. No one can ever say Smarty lost the Belmont.
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Thank you Pat and I totally agree, he did not lose!
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To Pat Chapman and Steve Haskin:
I hope you will enjoy this story about a filly by Smarty Jones. In February of 2009, I saw a daughter of Smarty Jones named Smarty Bull win her initial race and maiden at Gulfstream Park. Her dam was Bam Bam Bull and her dam sire was Holy Bull. (Dennis Drazin, who runs Mammouth Park, is her owner.)
One always hopes that a horse will imitate her sire, but what she did on the track was astonishing. She was in charge of the race at the outset, just like Smarty. And she ran down the middle of the track just like her dad. And she won by 7 1/2 lengths which is the exact number of lengths Smarty Jones won his first race by.
Unfortunately, she didn’t repeat her sire’s pattern of winning every race. But this was more than a coincidence. Thoroughbreds are amazing. I thought you might enjoy this.
Terri, I remember Smarty Bull out of Bam Bam Bull. Had high hopes for her, as I do for all of his offspring!
Mrs Chapman, SJ is one of my all time favs. How is he doing currently?
He is doing quite well Mike Relva! Still breeding and very happy! 😊 He looks terrific.
Thank you Mrs. Chapman. He did come in 2nd after a grueling campaign. Hats off Always to Smarty. The very best to all of you. It was a wonderful time in racing!
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This may not be the correct place to post this, so please delete as needed. I just wanted to throw out a shameless plug for the National Steeplechase Museum at Springdale Racecourse in Camden, SC. My daughter and I stopped today after driving past it many times, and we enjoyed it a lot! There is no admission fee, and they have really nice displays about numerous racing topics, lots of beautiful artwork by Paul Brown (and others), and a nice library for research. Even a display about the cavalry horses at the Revolutionary War Battle of Camden, with artifacts (which are endless in this area).
They had a nice profile of Saratoga, explaining how it avoided being renovated when Belmont and Aqueduct were done, and about how the community worked hard to become a wonderful destination town for racing fans. Made me excited that Saratoga is hosting the Belmont, and I hope that some of you are lucky enough to go! (Not us… I’ll be working.)
We especially liked the statue and grave marker of the legendary Lonesome Glory – five time Eclipse award winner (Steeplechase), and first steeplechase specialist to win over $1 million. He was a bright chestnut grandson of Princequillo.
If you ever find yourself in Camden, you might enjoy it!
Thank you for the info. While traveling from New Jersey to Florida, I’ve often thought of stopping in either Aiken or Camden, but have yet to take the initiative to get off I95. So now I have a reason for choosing Camden.
Todd, another nice thing about Camden is that it would be quite convenient to your route! We used to take US 1 instead of I-95 between Raleigh and Camden, especially with a horse trailer.
Please think about coming in November! The Colonial Cup is making its comeback this year, after a 6-7 year hiatus. It used to be an important race in deciding the Steeplechase Eclipse Award. I’m really excited that they’re bringing it back.
I’ve never been to the National Steeplechase Museum but hope to go some day.. I’m told that there is mention of my horse, Uncle Merlin, in there. He won the Maryland Hunt Cup in 1989. That was back in the day when my husband and I used to fox hunt with Bruce Miller who was the trainer of the legendary Lonesome Glory.
Mrs. Chapman, what an impressive feat! I did not see Uncle Merlin’s display today, but I will look for it next visit. We would have remembered, because our Collie’s name is Merlin. There are examples of the types of jumps at various courses, and the jumps donated from the Maryland course were imposing, to say the least!
We are definitely going to go back. There was a lot more we wanted to see, but we only had a little time today. I hope you get to come to the Museum one day!
Camden is an interesting place. A big, new development was recently thwarted, because the residents came out in full force to say, “we like horses, not houses.”
My wife and daughter and I spent a day with Bruce Miller and Lonesome Glory and I will never forget getting in Bruce’s car and driving to Jonathan Sheppards yard with it’s long beautiful gallop and driving on it with Lonesome Glory galloping alongside the car.
In 1985, I briefly worked as a groom at Garden State and Monmouth. My barn claimed a flat runner, Little Hero, from Bruce Miller. The horse won right back, my lone win as a groom. He was a pleasant horse to work on and was later cl.aimed back by Mr. Miller. I like to think that was a good thing for the horse, as I imagined him living out his retirement on the farm.
Steve, it was such a joy rereading the happy days of Smarty Jones’ trip around the US during the three year old Triple Crown series. Unfortunately, the happy dream ended in New York with a sudden jolt. It was as if the Ruby Slippers had sent Dorothy to Siberia rather than a farm in Kansas.
I never quite understand why those jockeys piled on Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes – unsportsmanlike – is the most polite word I can use to describe the tactics. Aren’t jockeys meant to give their mounts the best opportunity in a race to win rather than knocking another horse out of their rhythm?
Anyway, thanks again, Steve.
❤️
It’s been such a crazy week I’ve just now had time to read your column, Steve. It indeed tells the full story of Smarty Jones and captures all the emotions so many of us felt about that Triple Crown season. I purposely skipped going to the Belmont that year, after having my heart broken on the dismal June day the year before when Funny Cide’s bid for the Triple Crown fell apart. Still, I hoped, knowing Smarty was a better horse than Funny. To have him lose to Birdstone — a son of Grindstone, who never raced again after he won the Kentucky Derby — was a double insult to me. I realized I still (unfairly!) held a grudge against both horses until you revived the Smarty story. I want to add my thanks to Pat Chapman for joining us all here and posting such great intel in the comments section. Smarty absolutely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Along with Fitz Herbert, but that’s another long story that has yet to be told.
Thanks for your comments and your support of Smarty Jones.
He is a wonderful horse, with a great story for our sport.
To Mrs Chapman ..and Davids: Who do you like in the Derby? I kinda like the horse that’s been racing on the synthetic….. whenever I watch the Epsom Derby I think about my schoolboy crush on Kim Darby—the cure? Kay Lenz, and I’m happy to know they are still around…me too!
Matthew, that was a shock. Kim Darby was a ghost from the past, “True Grit”; Kay Lenz, I remember her from “Rich Man, Poor Man” – loved that series.
As for Epsom Derby, I’d like to see City of Troy win but have absolutely no confidence in the horse doing that. With the Oaks, Rubies are Red, full sister to Found, might come through with a win here.
Thank you and others, who responded with their likes, in the race …I’m in a Saturday contest, they have the Derby and the 5 fur sprint preceding…..I ended on One Night Stand and Deira Mile, I know little about them….Deira Mile has been racing on synthetic…
Deira mile is a.nice horse, has an outside shot maybe to hit the board.
Well he did hit the board, Steve …City of Troy was impressive, especially with Voyager, the loose horse, a good thing Voyager wanted to beat them, and didn’t come back to the pack like so many loose horses do …he stayed clear….
Matthew, have they also included the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) being run on Sunday at the beautiful Chantilly racecourse?
Like all the Classics that have been run thus far, expect an upset. Ha ha with that said I’m hoping that sons of favorite sires might come through.
Whadan by Siyouni or Ramadan by Le Havre – the trainers can’t be faulted if that’s anything to go by. J-C Rouget and Christopher Head respectively.
Oh no, Davids, just those two Epsom races…it’s on BH, a weekly Saturday contest, the previous week’s winner gets to pick out the contest races, unless it’s a Breeders Cup or a Triple Crown day, and they don’t often use foreign races…I love The Derby…and it’s THE Derby …
Yes, Matthew, “Unlocking Winners” I know the names of a handful of the contributors from way back in the good ol’ days when “The Blood-Horses” website was more responsive to their readers.
City of Troy, made a lot of ‘experts’ sound very foolish. Great triumph for O’Brien/Moore/Coolmore.
Keeneland/Fasig-Tipton must be smiling from ear to ear.
Matthew, Clint Eastwood is 94 years old today. That’s something you never would have thought of in the late 60s, 70s. From hack actor to highly respected film director. True admiration.
I wish him a very happy birthday.
Clint was not my favorite actor, but I have a Clint story ….around 1980 I was working at a submarine sandwich shop, and there was a liquor store in the same corner, across the lot where I worked ….I was walking into the liquor store, and out walked Clint carrying two cases of beer, and Keenan Wynn carrying a large bag of ice, they threw it into the back of a big and old dark blue truck, and drove away!…
How tall did Clint Eastwood seem to you then? I met him once in the late 80s and I’d say he was just tipping 6 foot. I’ve read he was supposed to be 6 foot 4 inches or sometimes 6 foot 2 inches but a person of that height in film look gigantic or gangly which Eastwood never did.
I’d say at least 6’2″, which is my height….but I was not that attentive to his height …but Keenan Wynn came to our sandwich shop all the time, driving that beat up truck of his. I don’t think he was that tall ..he had white hair and a big white mustache, and was really nice…
Despite the GREAT sandwiches we made at Wimpy ‘s….Keenan always bought the same thing: two 12-inch hot dogs, with mustard and onions.
Ha ha I’m a sucker for hotdogs as well but only in moderation these days. Once in a blue moon.
I’m about 6 foot standing tall and he seemed about the same but my shoes could have more heel. lol.
Hi Matthew,
I am picking a Wayne Lordan double. Rubies are Red in today’s Oaks; Los Angeles in tomorrow’s Derby. Both Ballydoyle second-stringers
Should be some great racing in Europe this weekend.
greg (Fan of Damascus)
Hi Steve,
Wonderful job as usual. I look forward to your next great story. Happy Belmont (at Saratoga)!
Best,
Hammer
Being no one else is going to comment, I want to thank Pat Chapman for writing and expressing her feelings and providing new information about Smarty. This was a chance to ask her questions and express your own feelings to her about her horse. But it is what it is.
And what it is and was is Wonderful!
Steve, I commented below. Please share it with Mrs. Chapman.
I was at the Smarty Party at Parx a few years ago. And I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Chapman. How wonderful it was that she, John Servis, and the farm had brought Smarty out to the track. He looked marvelous. Mrs. Chapman signed a photo of Smarty for me.
Hi Steve, I wrote two comments after 2 am. Could you please share them with Mrs. Pat Chapman. Thanking you in advance.
I did and she replied
Yesterday was a busy day and I didn’t check this forum until today. I wasn’t aware that Mrs. Chapman had commented, and I want her to know how much I appreciated her joining this discussion. I wish all owners would do that. I didn’t post previously because just about everything had already been said with great eloquence and emotion, and I didn’t think I had anything to add. But one of my memories of that Belmont was of Edgar Prado saying after the race, “I’m sorry–I had to do it.” It’s the only time I ever heard a winning rider say that.
Thank you Jiffy, it’s nice to be appreciated.😊. Edgar has long been a favorite of mine. I have a note that he wrote to me, not about Smarty but about Barbaro, framed and hanging on my wall. One of my treasures. He is a special man. 😘
What a lovely memento! Some years ago I bought Edgar Prado’s book about Barbaro at the Saratoga track book store. I really enjoyed it. The following year I took it with me to Saratoga, and Edgar autographed it for me on his way to the paddock. It was very kind of him, and I agree that he is a special person.
E J Won the Cup got shuffled back, at Lone Star yesterday, he came running and got the money —good race, and good job by O’Neill, horse is developing into a money maker!…
We where at a sports book in Vegas the day of the Belmont. All afternoon the space continued to fill, people getting louder and cheering more as the races went on. You could here people asking others how to bet because they wanted a ticket as a souvenir. Everyone was going crazy as he led at the top of the stretch. Then you could feel the air go out of the room as we all realized that the Smart Jones Triple Crown was not to be.
Great story telling as always!
Thanks Steve
Thank you Greg for sharing that great scene and the public reponse.
Well, you’ve done it, Steve. Your beautiful piece served me tears along with my morning coffee, and called to mind that incredible spring of 2004. I have a picture of Smarty winning the KY Derby on my wall and I’m looking at it now. A couple of months after the Belmont, we were on vacation in Colorado, Jeeping in the San Juan mtns. We stopped at a pullout area, and my Smarty Jones hat started a conversation and commiseration with a couple of other Jeepers who happened to stop there. A few more stopped to see what the group was talking about. It was really amazing – it ended up with a group of about 15 of us, just reliving those races again. It’s hard to describe to people these days what the excitement and the heartbreak were like. Just reading about that Belmont Stakes gives me that punch in the gut that never goes away. I was angry at Jerry Bailey for years after that for the way he and a few other jockeys ganged up on Smarty, sacrificing their own chances. It was such an emotional time. I was so thrilled when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, but I think it still didn’t reach the level of Smarty, at least for me. I would love to see him in the Hall of Fame, I think he belongs there.
Thank you it very much Beth. What a scene that must have been. I appreciate you sharing it. A punch in the gut is the best description.
Great read Steve, that was a Triple crown of me being emotionally torn between Smarty and Birdstone. I still have the cover of SI framed on my wall and I even made one up for my best friend’s 80 year old mother that got the Smarty bug. I’ll never forget when the look on Zito’s face when Battaglia made Birdstone 40 to 1 in the Derby. I was rooting for Smarty in the Belmont the sport wanted it and needed it, but there was a little bird chirping in my head “Birdstone, Birdstone” Emotionally the toughest bet I’ve ever made. Now that I look back when Smarty was at the eighth pole I felt like Baffert switching camps and rooting for Zenyatta in her 1st Breeder’s Cup Classic. There are times in this sport that it’s not about the money. God I love the Sport of Kings! but It’s also the Sport of the Common man and as Clark Gable once said “anybody can play” and win
Thanks very much for sharing Derek. Great stuff.
This is from Smarty’s owner Pat Chapman. She posted it in the wrong spot down below so I am moving it to the top.
Pat Chapman on May 27, 2024 at 9:37 pm
Steve! I always love the way you write about Smarty Jones. Your admiration and respect for him is so apparent. You’ve brought it all back to me with such strong emotions, the joy and thrill of watching him run and win, the aching disappointment of the Belmont, the heart wrenching decisions about his too early retirement. The world will never know just how good a horse he might have been, and neither will I. That’s the biggest disappointment of all..
There are probably still some sports writers on your Hall of Fame committee who are waiting for me to die before they will entertain the name of Smarty Jones. I will never forget them talking about punishing owners who retire horses too early. They would never believe cartilage loss was the ultimate reason Smarty Jones remained retired.
I want to write so much more but it can’t be tonight. I may call you and tell you about a recent dinner with Tom Durkin, and about me speaking to a Men’s Club and reading your 2018 article “Cheers, Tears and Silence”.
Hope you never stop writing, especially about my favorite race horse.
(Edit)
Reply
Being no one else is going to comment, I want to thank Pat for taking the time out to write and share all that and provide new information.
Thanks Steve!
Thanks to Mrs. Chapman for sharing your wonderful champion, Smarty Jones, with the public. What an an amazing story about Smarty. He has not only saved racing in PA, he’s inspired the breeding program in the state. One horse alone has done this.
I am so sorry that the armchair critics and trainers have been so critical of you having to retire Smarty. You as his owner, your trainer, and the vet made the best decision for Smarty.
Smarty is a hero for owners who do the right thing, for small breeders, and for horse racing.
Please Steve forward this to Mrs. Chapman.
Terri!
Thanks so much for reaching out. I appreciate it more than I can put into words. It’s hard to hear the criticism but I do understand that most of it comes from not knowing “the rest of the story”.
🤗😘
Thank you. Very much. Mrs. . Chapman. Smart.y is still my favorite. I visited him at Three. Chimneys long ago. He’s in my Hall of Fame . Thank you for the updates on him and your comments are so appreciated. Best to you from California.
❤️
Mrs. Chapman, thank you and your team for sharing Smarty Jones with the world! He was an amazing racehorse, and the phenomenon that surrounded his wins was incredible. I hate that Smarty stands to be excluded from the Hall of Fame because of the responsible and humane decisions that were made about his health and soundness. Nothing shows better integrity and dedication – or honors the sport of horse racing more – than caring about the horse! I can’t wait to hear what new stories you share with Steve! Do you ever get out to see your boy?
Thank you so much for your part in the wonderful memories made in the Spring of 2004!
🤗 to you Katy. Thanks for your kind words. I went to visit Smarty on May 11 with good friend Kim Pratt. She took wonderful photos and put a few on Smarty Jones facebook page. Look us up! He is the little horse who just keeps giving so much to so many. 🤗😘
Has anyone talked to Bill Dawson?
How life is so short….Bill Walton has passed away from his battle of cancer on Monday. I still remember Bill wearing the green and white jersey from Helix High School in San Diego years ago before his years as a Bruin as UCLA and then the NBA.
Where does the time go?
Eagles Flight….a half to Flightline by Curlin—looked pretty good today! Prat didn’t panic, when he couldn’t make the lead, and they threaded between horses from 6th, and avoided trouble when the horse he battled was getting out—1:10 flat, galloping out like he will relish more distance, nice colt!..
You write so well, Steve. You can really tell a tale. Your Smarty Jones saga had me teary eyed, at first with awe and happiness then with sadness and disappointment. I still believe that the only two jockeys who were really trying to win the 2004 Belmont were on Smarty Jones and Birdstone. It is too bad that there were two other jockeys in the race riding just to get Smarty and Stewart Elliot beat, ruining their own horses’ chances in the process.
Thank you Jerre.
Great story, Mr. Haskin. I watched that race at Los Alamitos in California of all places with a couple of my racetrack buddies. Los Al was open during the day for simulcasting before their nighttime quarterhorse racing. During the running of the race people were going crazy. After the race it got so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
As I recall, there was quite a bit of controversy directed at Jerry Bailey, the rider of Eddington. Bailey was accused of going after “Smarty”. I saw Jerry Bailey asked about it years later. He bristled at the question and said it was ridiculous. I thought that he might smack the guy who asked the question. Whatever. One of my buddies was adamant that Eddington and Bailey had ruined the Triple Crown bid.
I had forgotten that Smarty Jones never raced again.
It was so hot in Florida today that a trip to Nome, Alaska sounds pretty good to me.
During those 3 weeks of Smarty mania, i recall noticing how lightly Smarty was being trained. I believe that most days he wasn’t even galloping, only being ponied. I know John Servis is a top trainer and brought Smarty to the Belmont the best he could have him. I only wonder if the light training was a reflection of his developing soundness issues, leading to his retirement, or an attempt to recharge his energy. Maybe it was neither. I just remember being concerned going into the race about his fitness. I also remember the class displayed by Servis, Zito, Prado, and Marylou Whitney.
What I mean by Stewart not easing up on Smarty, in the Preakness—Art Sherman told me when a horse gets eased up—it saves horse…..in the Derby Chrome was eased up, but in the Preakness—Social Inclusion made a move at Chrome, at the half mile pole, making Chrome run hard in the stretch, and it made him a tired horse, in The Belmont…Smarty was six in front but Elliot rode him out to a huge lead….probably could’ve saved horse…..
Rick Hard Ten had some early zip, so after a half it was not a surprise to see him….but Eddington made an early move, early for HIS style….and it was written after the race that Bailey had called up Servis before the Derby, wanting that mount…..the Eddington early move….a long with Elliot’s riding Smarty out, in The Preakness….helped to deny that horse The Triple Crown, in my opinion…but Birdstone was a pretty decent horse, he took that Travers, when the skies opened….but that Belmont was the biggest disappointment of any race I can recall….great job, as usual Steve..
Thank you for writing this tribute for wonderful Smarty
Historia con triste final, Smarty Jones, Crack….excelente tu nota Steve, como siempe…
Gracas Fernando.
Steve! I always love the way you write about Smarty Jones. Your admiration and respect for him is so apparent. You’ve brought it all back to me with such strong emotions, the joy and thrill of watching him run and win, the aching disappointment of the Belmont, the heart wrenching decisions about his too early retirement. The world will never know just how good a horse he might have been, and neither will I. That’s the biggest disappointment of all..
There are probably still some sports writers on your Hall of Fame committee who are waiting for me to die before they will entertain the name of Smarty Jones. I will never forget them talking about punishing owners who retire horses too early. They would never believe cartilage loss was the ultimate reason Smarty Jones remained retired.
I want to write so much more but it can’t be tonight. I may call you and tell you about a recent dinner with Tom Durkin, and about me speaking to a Men’s Club and reading your 2018 article “Cheers, Tears and Silence”.
Hope you never stop writing, especially about my favorite race horse.
Surprised to hear Smarty is not in the Hall, despite two Triple Crown winners…I think Smarty is our best Derby winner this century….I was also surprised John Sadler didn’t get into the Hall, besides Flightline…he developed the five year old Accelerate into Horse of the Year, and as a young trainer he had two months with Melair, one of Horse Racing’s incredible talents…
Read my reply to Dewey Herbert’s first comment.
Thank you very much Dewey. I appreciate it. I am on the Hall of Fame nominating committee and presented what I thought was a great case to at least put him on the ballot and let the people decide, I asked anyone to explain to me why Majestic Prince whose career is identical to Smarty’s but without the nationwide impact and love affair is in the Hall of Fame and no one will even put Smarty on the ballot. As you can see it fell on deaf ears. No one responded about the comparson to Majestic Prince, who wasnt even a champion. Very frustrating and disappointing, and in my mind disgraceful. All I asked for was a reason why they dont vote for Smarty when Majestic Prinnce is in there.
Oh wow!! This was written so exquisitely & is so touching that I went back in time I could actually picture all the memories of each race feeling elation then sadness. I’ll never forget Smarty Jones!! I used to watch all the Triple Crown races with my mom & dad. My dad was especially passionate about horses & fell in love with Smarty. I can picture him cheering Smarty on in the Derby & Preakness & then he about lost it when Smarty placed in the Belmont. My parents are now gone but reading this not only brought back memories of the great Smarty Jones but also of watching the races with my mom & dad. Thank you so much for this excellent article on a horse I’ll never forget! 🏇🏇🏇
Thank you very much Cara. I tried to tell the story to its fullest regardless of how many people are interested.
You did just that Steve! I could picture those races vividly as I read. I enjoyed reading this (with some sadness) so very much. Thank you again Steve 🏇🏇🏇
Beautiful, inspiring story, Steve. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you Marilyn.
It’s unfortunate Smarty is yet to make the Hall…. I am confident at some point he will. Some blamed his Belmont on Stewart for not giving him a breather after pulling away from Rock Hard Ten, still after blazing his early fractions he fought well the rested Birdstone to the wire. He has turned out to be a good stallion with good blacktype numbers and a nice handful of grade one winners. He will not be forgotten.
Count me among those who can’t watch it. Never have I ever resented ‘race riding’ as I and many others did that day.
Smarty’s is one of the great stories of racing and will be one forever.
I won’t watch, either and, I’ve never forgiven the jockey’s that ruined their own horse’s chances to rob Smarty of his Triple Crown.
It’s amazing the impact that Smarty had on America’s sports fans in 2004. His ability and heart captured the attention and admiration of the entire country, especially that of his home state, Pennsylvania. Your exceptional writing, Steve, has taken us on this journey to relive those wondrous times when we all caught “Smarty Fever”. I got tingles just reading your descriptive account. Thank you so much for sharing Smarty’s story.
Now, for the puzzling part…. I tried to look for Smarty Jones on the Hall of Fame website and to my surprise found that he wasn’t there. As a voting member of the selection committee, can you explain why Smarty Jones is not a member of the Hall of Fame, despite his achievements?
Thank you very much Dewey. I appreciate it. I am on the Hall of Fame nominating committee and presented what I thought was a great case to at least put him on the ballot and let the people decide, I asked anyone to explain to me why Majestic Prince whose career is identical to Smarty’s but without the nationwide impact and love affair is in the Hall of Fame and no one will even put Smarty on the ballot. As you can see it fell on deaf ears. No one responded about the comparson to Majestic Prince, who wasnt even a champion. Very frustrating and disappointing, and in my mind disgraceful. All I asked for was a reason why they dont vote for Smarty when Majestic Prinnce is in there.
Thanks for the reply, Steve. How many people are on the nomination committee? I find it bewildering that not one person would agree with your argument on behalf of Smarty Jones. Perhaps if they read your eloquent two-part column on Smarty’s career from birth to retirement they would change their minds. I believe I speak on behalf of all your readers who have read your story on Smarty Jones…. he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Thank you Dewey! We can count on your vote! ❤️
Pat, I sincerely hope that Smarty gets into the Hall and that you’ll be there to enjoy the moment. God bless you!
Thanks Dewey! He so deserves to be there! Appreciate your comments and strong feelings!