BALTIMORE -- Smarty Jones was unbeaten before the Kentucky
Derby, but there were questions about the quality of the
competition. After he put away 17 rivals to win the Derby, doubters
claimed Smarty was aided by a sloppy track.
With his record-setting romp in the Preakness Stakes over a fast
track on a hot and hazy Saturday, there's only one question
remaining: Can Smarty Jones win the Triple Crown?
Absolutely.
Sure, it's been 26 years since Affirmed swept the Derby,
Preakness and Belmont Stakes, the longest drought between Triple
Crown winners. And yes, this will be the sixth Triple try in the
last eight years -- and 10th since Steve Cauthen guided Affirmed to
three narrow wins over Alydar in 1978.
But this time, there will be a 12th Triple Crown champion.
Smarty Jones is perfect so far, and there's no reason to believe he
won't continue on his merry way to racing immortality in the
Belmont on June 5.
He's turned aside every challenge with one unbelievable stretch
run after another, and he has shown no signs of wear and tear. His
breathtaking surge to win the Preakness by a record 11{ lengths has
people wondering what's next.
"The intriguing part of Smarty Jones is we don't feel like
we've seen the bottom of him," said Penny Chenery, the owner of
1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who won the Belmont by an
incredible 31 lengths. "He seems to have limitless ability."
Cauthen has been keeping tabs on Smarty, too.
"The more he races, the more he seems to be turning into a
champion," Cauthen said Sunday by telephone from Kentucky. "He
takes it all in, and is improving mentally and physically with each
race."
Smarty Jones was a happy colt Sunday morning, eagerly gulping
down his feed before being vanned back to Philadelphia Park. The
smallish red chestnut colt won't return to the track until he jogs
Wednesday, and tentative plans call for Smarty to be shipped to
Belmont Park sometime after May 24.
"He came out of the race terrific," trainer John Servis said.
On the Triple trail for the first time, Servis is beginning to
find out how tough it is to get through the punishing grind of
three races at three tracks at three distances over five weeks.
"I realize now why there has only been a handful of horses to
win the Triple Crown," he said. "It's a very grueling road, and
we've been on it since January. But I've got a good horse, and he's
doing real well. As long as he continues to do how he is, we're
going to go into the Belmont with a loaded gun."
The Belmont is called The Test of the Champion for a reason. At
1{ miles, it's the longest race a 3-year-old is asked to run.
Fatigue ended Triple tries by Alysheba in 1987 and Silver Charm in
1997, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for Smarty. He was
still running strong even after he crossed the finish line
Saturday.
The 3-year-old son of Elusive Quality has won handily on fast
tracks and wet tracks. He can sit off the lead or set the pace. He
responds with gusto whenever jockey Stewart Elliott asks for
something extra. And Servis has made all the right training moves
with a Pennsylvania-bred who nearly died in a training accident
less than a year ago.
Bobby Frankel, whose Empire Maker spoiled Funny Cide's Triple
Crown bid last year in the Belmont, was bowled over by Smarty's
Preakness.
"He looked like a superstar," the Hall of Fame trainer said
Sunday from New York. "He looks like a cinch in the Belmont unless
something goes wrong. He likes an off track. He likes a fast track.
He's always in the race and doesn't need anyone to set the pace for
him. He's a complete horse."
No, he doesn't have royal bloodlines. He isn't owned by a Sheik
or a Prince or a Kentucky blue blood. He's not trained or ridden by
a Hall of Famer. And his name doesn't even sound as if it belongs
in the company of Triple Crown champions like War Admiral or
Seattle Slew.
But none of that counts when the starting gate springs open.
Seattle Slew cost $17,500. Affirmed was far from regally bred.
"There's no rhyme or reason to why they are so special,"
Cauthen said. "All the great horses, they are a gift from above.
You still need good fortune, but Smarty Jones is looking like he
could be the horse."
He sure is.