5/16/2004

8 for 8, Smarty on track

As the dust settles on the second leg of this year's Triple Crown, North American racing fans now know that in Smarty Jones they have a real champ on their hands. And, at this stage, it looks like it will take an act of God to prevent the bonny liver chesnut colt from Pennsylvania from becoming the 12th. Triple Crown winner at Belmont in three weeks time.

Unconcerned by the hot and humid conditions; a delay in the paddock, while Imperialism was re-shod; Hard Rock Ten's antics at the gate; Mike Smith taking Lion Heart wide; a dull, cuppy and tiring surface, Smarty, the push-button horse, demoralised the cream of this year's crop of 3-y-olds, without his rider, Stewart Elliott having to do more than wave his stick a couple of times and then hand-ride his charge to a record 11 1/2 length victory, in a time of 1:55/2, which was two ticks faster than Grade 1 older horses had run the previous day's Pimlico Special.

Make no mistake...Smarty Jones is the real deal!

How they finished:

1st. - Smarty Jones......just galloped!

2nd by 11 1/2 Hard Rock Ten

3rd. by 13 1/2 Eddington

4th. by 13 3/4 Lion Heart

5th. by 14 Imperialism

6th. by 15 Sir Shackleton

7th. by 15 3/4 Borrego

8th. by 21 1/4 Little Matth Man

9th. by 23 1/4 Song of the Sword

10th. by 26 3/4 Water Cannon

Full Preakness fall-out tomorrow...