Trainer hints Smarty Jones might skip Preakness

TheGeneral+ · May 3, 2004

Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones has some work to do to even make it to Baltimore in two weeks for the second leg of the Triple Crown.

"If he does go back to the track and I don't like the way he's training, then he's not going," trainer John Servis said Sunday, a day after the Derby victory. "If I'm not as confident as I was this week, we'll skip it. There are too many races down the line."

Smarty Jones, the first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977, was scheduled to be shipped to Philadelphia Park on Monday or Tuesday to resume training.

If all goes well, Servis said he would send him to Pimlico a few days before the May 15 Preakness Stakes.

Derby runner-up Lion Heart is expected to race at Pimlico, while fourth-place finisher Limehouse, The Cliff's Edge (fifth) and Borrego (10th) also are being considered.

Also expected for the 1 3/16th-mile Preakness are Eddington and Rock Hard Ten, two colts who hadn't won enough money to get into the Derby field; Cheiron; and Water Cannon.

Cheiron is trained by 21-year-old Kristin Mulhall, who sent out Imperialism to a third-place finish in the Derby.

"The intelligent thing to do would be to run Cheiron in the Preakness and freshen Imperialism and run him in the Belmont," said Steve Taub, who owns both Cheiron and Imperialism. "Whatever Kristin wants to do is what we will do."

Smarty Jones and Lion Heart turned what was supposed to be a wide-open Derby into a two-horse race.

Smarty Jones, with rookie Derby rider Stewart Elliott, aboard, caught the pacesetting Lion Heart near the top of the stretch and then pulled away to win the 1¼-mile race by 2¾ lengths.

"My horse ran a great race, but he (Smarty Jones) was the better horse on the day," Lion Heart trainer Patrick Biancone said, already back at Keeneland with his colt. "I have a world of respect for him. Smarty Jones could be anything."

While Smarty Jones is 7-for-7, with five starts this year; Lion Heart has just five career races -- three this year.

Servis said the Pimlico course known for tight turns and a speed bias won't give Lion Heart an edge. However, he said Lion Heart "can easily go forward in a big way" since he's so lightly raced.

The Preakness is limited to 14 starters, but there has not been a full field since 1992.

http://www.sportsline.com/horseracing/story/7302345

THE SHRINK · May 4, 2004

what about the 5 mil bonus?

trytrytry · May 4, 2004

this is a bunch of B.S. you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning (Which almost happened to me at the derby!) then not seeing Smarty Jones (Americas Horse) run at the Preakness!

G.MONEY · May 4, 2004

THE ONLY WAY THIS HORSE DOES NOT RUN IS IF HE COMES UP LAME......THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY NEED'S HIM BAD. AND HE HAS MOST PEOPLES ATTENTION RIGHT NOW...........G.

arnie'sarmy · May 4, 2004

Smarty Jones will be in Baltimore:

By RICHARD ROSENBLATT

AP Racing Writer
Smarty Jones made quite an impression with his Kentucky Derby victory — on and off the racetrack.
While the Derby winner was on his way home to Philadelphia Park on Tuesday, his mud-splattered mug became cover boy material for Sports Illustrated, and yet another potential Preakness challenger pulled out of the race.
The photo of Smarty Jones and jockey Stewart Elliott racing ahead of the field in the Derby is accompanied by the headline: “Why Everybody Loves Smarty Jones ... The Horse from the Wrong Side of the Tracks Looks Fit for a Triple Crown.”
It’s been more than 20 years since a Derby winner made the SI cover. Sunny’s Halo was the last, on the May 16, 1983, edition.
With his authoritative 2¾-length win over Lion Heart in the Derby to run his record to 7-0, Smarty Jones is also chasing away his rivals.
Cheiron, trained by Kristin Mulhall, was the latest Preakness defection, leaving six horses set to take on Smarty Jones in the May 15 second leg of the Triple Crown. On Monday, fourth-place Derby finisher Limehouse was ruled out by owner Cot Campbell.
Before Smarty Jones left Churchill Downs, trainer John Servis was beginning to understand how popular his colt has become.
“This is bigger than I ever imagined,” Servis said. “It has been crazy, but I’m having the best time of my life.”
Other confirmed Preakness starters are Derby horses Lion Heart, The Cliff’s Edge (fifth) and Borrego (10th), along with new shooters Eddington, Rock Hard Ten and Water Cannon.
Trainer Bob Baffert said Preachinatthebar is a possible starter.
Mulhall’s Imperialism finished third in the Derby but is skipping the Preakness to prepare for the Belmont Stakes on June 5, the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Eddington and Rock Hard Ten missed the Derby because they did not have enough graded stakes earnings to get into the field; Water Cannon is based in Maryland and is coming off a win in the Tesio Stakes at Pimlico on April 17.
Smarty Jones’ popularity keeps growing as his story is told over and over again: He’s a Pennsylvania-bred horse who nearly died when he slammed his head on an iron bar; his trainer and jockey are based at small-time Philly Park; and his owners refused a blank check to sell him.
Now he’s the first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977, with a chance to win the Preakness and enter the Belmont Stakes with a shot at becoming the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in ’78.
He’s also made millionaires of his owners, Roy and Pat Chapman. They collected a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park after Smarty Jones swept the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby.
Servis said Smarty Jones will resume training Wednesday or Thursday.
“He’s doing great,” Servis said. “I see no reason why we wouldn’t be heading to the Preakness. This story is great for our industry.”
Lion Heart continued his training with a jog around Keeneland.
“So far, so good,” trainer Patrick Biancone said. “We are right on schedule.”
Rock Hard Ten, second in the Santa Anita Derby but DQ’d to third for interfering with Imperialism, returned to the track Tuesday for the first time since April 26.
The colt worked seven furlongs at Churchill Downs in 1:25.80.
“We have a big chance,” trainer Jason Orman said. “He definitely fits among the top horses.”