Derby winner picks up the training pace at Philly Park
By Richard Rosenblatt, Associated Press, 5/6/2004 13:55
BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones was back at the track Thursday morning, galloping an encouraging 1½ miles at Philadelphia Park in preparation for the Preakness Stakes.
Trainer John Servis rode his pony alongside Smarty Jones, and after the breeze over an empty track said his undefeated colt will pick up the pace Friday with a solo gallop.
''It'll be a big day to see how he handles himself,'' Servis said.
Smarty Jones, with exercise rider Pete van Trump aboard, returned to the track Wednesday for the first time since winning the Derby, walking a half-mile and jogging another half. Thursday's gallop was just a warm-up for the next few days of training.
''He did real good, I'm very happy,'' Servis said. ''He got real strong at the end of the gallop, and I like to see that. At this stage, he's ready to do a little more than he's doing.''
Servis intends to run Smarty Jones in the Preakness, but said Friday's gallop is critical because it will give the trainer a better idea how well his colt came out of last Saturday's Derby.
If Smarty Jones is not training as well as he did before the Derby, Servis already has said he won't hesitate to skip next Saturday's Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Jockey Stewart Elliott, enjoying a day off after riding at Delaware Park on Wednesday, came to the track and watched Smarty Jones train.
''He was aggressive out there,'' Elliott said. ''That's good.''
Ever since Smarty Jones won the Derby, the Pennsylvania-bred has turned Philly into a one-horse town. Yes, the Flyers are in the Eastern Conference finals of the NHL playoffs, but the horse with all the Philly connections Servis, Elliott and owners Roy and Pat Chapman live in the area is drawing unprecedented attention at a place that's merely a speck on the racing map.
While only about 50 people showed up to watch Smarty Jones on Thursday, a day after 200 were on hand for the colt's first day home in four months, bigger crowds are expected this weekend.
Track officials have invited the public to watch Smarty Jones gallop Saturday morning, followed by the mayor of Bensalem presenting the Chapmans with a key to the city.
On Sunday, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell is set to visit and honor Smarty Jones.
Servis said Smarty Jones will remain at Philly Park until next Thursday, when he will be shipped to Pimlico.
Smarty Jones has won all seven of his races and is the first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977. A win in the 1 3-16th-mile Preakness would set up a third straight Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes on June 5. War Emblem in 2002 and Funny Cide last year both won the Derby and Preakness before falling short in the Belmont.
Smarty has already earned a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park for sweeping the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby. Should he become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, Smarty would earn another $5 million bonus and top Cigar as racing's all-time leading money earner.
Smarty Jones' total earnings stand at $6,733,155.
