![]() The support began even before the Derby, in which Smarty Jones became the first undefeated winner since Seattle Slew in 1977. "It's amazing how people have come to support this horse," Servis said. ![]() But this was his first time aboard Smarty.The balloons matched the colors of the silks jockey Stewart Elliott wears for Roy and Patricia Chapman, the breeders and owners of Smarty Jones. Elliott usually works out the horses he rides for Servis, a friend for more than 20 years. 9.Īfter the race, jockey Stewart Elliott walked Smarty into the winner's circle. He won his maiden by five lengths at Philly Park on Nov. When he made it to the races, he was full of run. But he was nursed back to health at the New Jersey Equine Clinic. His skull was fractured, an orbital bone was broken, and he nearly lost his left eye. Smarty Jones reared up in the starting gate and slammed his head on an iron bar. ![]() But just 12 days after the colt showed up last summer, tragedy nearly struck. Servis, Philly Park's leading training, was hired by the Chapmans. They sent him to Ocala, Fla., to get ready for the races, and Bridlewood Farm manager George Issacs told them, "you might not want to sell this one." They sold off most of their horses, but kept a few, including Smarty Jones. The Chapmans nearly got rid of Smarty Jones late in 2001, after their friend and trainer, Bob Camac was murdered. "Race after race, he still has fuel in the tank," he said. Speed yes, but what about endurance? Joe Servis, John's dad and a former jockey, has an answer: He doesn't get tired. I'll Get Along, who won 12 of 39 races, is a daughter of sprint champion Smile. Elusive Quality set a world record for a mile on turf, as well as a track record for seven furlongs on dirt at Gulfstream Park in Florida. The colt was named for Pat Chapman's mother, Mildred, who was nicknamed "Smarty" and shared the same birthday.Ī son of Elusive Quality, out of I'll Get Along, Smarty seemed destined to be a top sprinter. Tee in 1992 was the first _ Smarty Jones arrived Feb, 28, 2001, at Pat and Roy Chapman's Someday Farm in Chester County, Pa. Only the second Pennsylvania-bred to win the Derby _ Lil E. That Smarty Jones has reached this point is truly amazing. There won't be any excuses."Ī win in Baltimore and it's on to the Belmont Stakes three weeks later for a Triple try _ the third straight and fifth in the past eight years. "If he trains like he's trained going into the Derby, I'm going to be very confident," he said. Servis is not too concerned with the competition. Newcomers include Eddington, Rock Hard Ten and Water Cannon. Lion Heart, who loves to run on the lead, will be back for another try in the Preakness, along with The Cliff's Edge (fifth) and Borrego (10th). While the Derby was considered wide open with an 18-horse field, it turned into a two-horse race in the slop at Churchill Downs. "But the fact that they're using it in the same breath, that doesn't hurt my feelings any."īack home at Philly Park this week, Smarty Jones is getting ready for next Saturday's Preakness, the 1 3-16th-mile race that may suit him better than the 1 1/4-mile Derby because it is known to favor speed horses. "He's got a long way to go to fill those shoes," Servis said.
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