5/17/2004

The Secret of Smarty

When autopsies were conducted upon all-time greats, Phar Lap and Arkle, it was discovered that they possessed hearts that were half as big again as those of normal horses. So its pretty safe to assume that this year's phenomenal three-year-old, Smarty Jones, has got a big ticker to go along with his prodigious talent.

However, when one considers his sprinter's pedigree (albeit with some interesting staying blood, way back on his dam's side), relatively small size and average action, the thing that strikes us about Smarty Jones is that he seems to just do what is neccessary, and certainly does not expend any unneccessary energy either before or during his races.

So many ultra-talented, regally-bred horses are so highly strung that they are always on the bridle. But often, in their races, they flatter and deceive in the early to mid-stages, only to faulter in the clutch.

Such free-running horses often look like they are going to gallop as they exit the back-stretch, but fold like cheap suitcases when the heat is turned on. But Smarty Jones seems have got the hang of relaxing in the paddock and post parade; conserving energy while showing speed from the gate; tooling along, wherever his rider wants to put him, without fighting or running too freely, and then, with the minimum of fuss, finding a whole series of instant acceleration gears, whenever he's asked.

Couple this perfect demeanor with his apparent soundness (so far, touch wood), ability to handle all surfaces, post positions and pace scenarios, and its easy to see why he's defying his pedigree and humble Philly Park origins and appears to be getting stronger and stronger the further he goes.

Smarty Jones seems to be the ultimate push-button horse that all punters dream of. And, in the Belmont Stakes, we do not anticipate him having any problems with the unique 1 1/2 mile oval, huge crowd, hot weather, lack of pace, extreme distance or any of the demons that have scuppered the chances of Silver Charm, Real Quiet, War Emblem and Funny Cide, before him.

So VISA better start raising the $5 million for their Triple Crown bonus, right now. Indeed, maybe they should introduce a 'Smarty Card' for the occasion?