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Gary Stevens, who rode runner-up Rock Hard Ten, certainly agreed. “I was concerned about him coming back in two weeks, but he had no works, and I think it was a good move.” “I got goosebumps,” trainer John Servis said afterwards. Smarty Jones had come through for his fans, and he had a date with history. The crowd went wild as Smarty Jones romped to glory by a record 11 ½ lengths, besting the previous record set by Survivor, who won the inaugural running of the Preakness Stakes by 10 lengths back in 1873. The rest of the field didn’t stand a chance as Smarty Jones triumphantly flew toward the wire to announcer Tom Durkin’s astonished cry, “He’s going to win by a colossal margin!” Seizing the opportunity, jockey Stewart Elliott urged Smarty Jones through the gap - and suddenly to a widening lead. However, their efforts proved futile, as Smarty Jones overcame the obstacle with striking ease.Ī gap opened up on the rail as the final turn loomed ahead. In an attempt to make things difficult for the Derby winner, Mike Smith on Lion Heart had his horse travel wide in the hopes of causing Smarty Jones to lose ground. Lion Heart, who had finished second in Kentucky, rolled up to take the early lead with Smarty Jones stalking him throughout the race. The race unfolded almost exactly as the Derby had. Fueled by the noise of the crowd, the field erupted from the starting gate and took flight in what was about to become a historical Preakness run. From humble beginnings to an embarrassment of riches, Smarty Jones appeared to have the whole world watching with anticipation as he made his way to Maryland for the Preakness Stakes.Ī record crowd of 112, 668 flocked to Pimlico Racecourse on May 15, 2004. The undefeated colt splashed his way over the finish line in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, becoming the first undefeated horse to wear the roses since Seattle Slew in 1977.
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Untouched in in six races from six career starts, Smarty Jones targeted a greater prize after his rousing performances in Arkansas.
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The Pennsylvania-bred then ventured to Arkansas, adding the Southwest Stakes, Rebel Stakes, and Arkansas Derby (G2) to his spotless resume. His seasonal debut began right where he left off: in the winner’s circle. Smarty Jones returned to action in the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct.
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It was a mere preview to what was to come. Smarty Jones roared to an astonishing 15-length victory, demolishing the field with authority. His 7 ¾-length romp gave his connections the confidence to run him back two weeks later, this time in the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes. The colt made his debut at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) and cruised to effortless victory. Smarty Jones made a complete recovery from his injuries and bounced back to compete in his first race before his two-year-old season was over. Fortunately for Smarty Jones, he got to keep his eye but was diagnosed with a fractured skull that kept him out of training for several weeks. Smarty Jones’s head was bloody and swollen to the point that veterinarians feared he would lose his left eye. Rearing up in a panic, Smarty Jones slammed his head into the top of the gate and fell to the ground with such force that his trainer thought he had died. Servis had Smarty Jones schooling inside the starting gate one morning when out of nowhere the colt spooked.