I revisited Churchill Downs after more than ten years to the most open Derby in Years. The weather was "iffy" and the tickets were only available through scalpers but life without the Kentucky Derby experience and the unparalled southern hospitality is no life at all. So, braving the pessimism of the weather forecasters, my wife and I dove 60 miles north to Louisville - to see an unbeaten colt called Smarty Jones. Bred inconspicuously in Philadelphia, Smarty Jones began his Derby Campaign quietly but, by the time he won the Arkansas Derby, he had announced his arrival as a serious contender for the run for the roses. The Derby was penned the "Run for the Roses" in the 20's because the winner, traditionally was draped with blanket of red roses prepared by Krogers of Lexington and by the time 130,000 spectators had warmly sung "My Old Kentucky Home," Smarty Jones and the others had lined up behind the start.
As the weather pessimists predicted, it poured just before the Derby and track was officially changed to "sloppy." Meanwhile, we were watching the tote pools and were amazed at the amount of money that came pouring in on Smarty Jones and Lion Heart in Michael Tabor's colours making them first and second favourites respectfully. This was surprising since the "pundits" had relentlessly kept on through the week that Smarty Jones didn't have the breeding ( I could not have disagreed more with them - his sire was Gone West and the stallion influences in Gone West's tail included Northern Dancer and Sir Ivor), nor the form ( he had apparently beaten none of consequence). But Smarty Jones was a story; a horse who had nearly died from a head injury, a jockey who had no business riding the favourite of the greatest horse race (he had never ridden at Churchill Downs), an owner who needed oxygen pumped through his system 24 hours a day while his wheelchair supported his failing bones and muscles, and a trainer with a belief. He refused to have his jockey "jocked off" for a more fashionable name. His argument valid that its better to have a rider who knows his horse than one who doesn't. More lay on his shoulders than on anyone else's.
As expected, Lion Heart roared out of the gates and went out early. Smarty Jones, brilliantly maneuvered from draw 15, caught the rail in third behind Lion Heart and Limehouse. Not much changed till they turned for home as Steve Elliot began to ask Smarty Jones for more and once he had killed the fight in Lion Heart the result was evident. Smarty Jones had remained unbeaten and he had won the six million dollars (five million dollar bonus included) for his 2:04 minute workout. Lion Heart was second and Imperialism, claimed and trained by a 21 year old lady trainer, came from a long way back to finish 3rd. The pick of the paddock, |The Cliff's Edge, ran from last to run fifth but didn't handle the track and lost both his front shoes. They were all on schedule for a rematch at the Preakness.
The Preakness is run over a mile and three sixteenth (1900 metres - The Derby is a mile and a quarter) and ten horses will once again try and run with Jones'. In the post positions blind draw, trainer John Servis drew the second option and selected draw seven for Smarty Jones. "We've had a lot of luck with number seven," Servis said, noting that the Elusive Quality colt started from post position seven in the Rebel and Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park and that his Derby victory was his seventh win in a row, with no defeats.
Lion Heart, the speedy colt trained by Patrick Biancone who set the pace in the Derby before finishing second, will start from the rail - post position one and from a look at the Derby the main danger to Smarty should be Lion Heart. The Cliff's Edge is a magnificent creature and if I were Smarty I'd take his Derby excuse seriously but the latest news is that his trainer has felt a pulse in his foot and he is doubtful to start. But they will all have to take on Water Cannon (from Maryland), Eddington and Rock Hard Ten, neither of whom qualified for the Derby on graded stakes earnings ( the Derby field is restricted to twenty for safety). I spoke with Gary Stevens who rides Rock Hard Ten and he gave me a feeling that he is confident of spoiling Smarty's party since he believes that his horse has just begun to come into himself and had he not been kept out the Derby, he may have won. We will know on Saturday but I believe, from what I saw at Churchill Downs, we have a genuine contender for the Triple Crown.
The field for the Preakness Stakes, in post position order with morning-line odds:
1 -- Lion Heart, Mike Smith, 3-1
2 -- Borrego, Victor Espinoza, 15-1
3 -- Little Matth Man, Richard Migliore, 50-1
4 -- The Cliff's Edge, Shane Sellers, 8-1
5 -- Song of the Sword, Jorge Chavez, 30-1
6 -- Sir Shackleton, Rafael Bejerano, 30-1
7 -- Smarty Jones, Stewart Elliott, 8-5
8 -- Imperialism, Kent Desormeaux, 5-1
9 -- Eddington, Jerry Bailey, 8-1
10 -- Rock Hard Ten, Gary Sevens, 6-1
11 -- Water Cannon, Rayn Foglesonger, 30-1
Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford had this to say: " She is a temperamental filly who has a mind of her own-she's not a filly you can bully, but she will improve a lot from this run and I think you will see the best of her, when she steps up in trip. Going up to a mile and a half will really suit her, as that seems to be her optimum trip."
British Bookmakers approximate Ante-Post odds for The Oaks to be run on the 4th of June at Epsom:
Sundrop 5-2, Punctilious 6-1, All To Beautiful 8-1, Baraka 12-1, Ouija Board 12-1, Hathrah 16-1, Poise
16-1, Necklace 20-1. Longer odds the rest.
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