By adding the Preakness to his Kentucky Derby victory, two weeks ago, the undefeated chestnut colt will be heavily favoured to become the 12th Triple Crown champion and the first since Affirmed in 1978. And there aren't too many people believing Smarty won't come through. Yes, this will be the sixth Triple Crown try in the last eight years and the 10th since Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed to narrow victories over Alydar.

Smarty Jones, has made winning look easy with his fluid strides and ability to turn on the speed in the stretch for jockey Stewart Elliot. Eight-for-eight so far and a ninth, would put him in elite company with the likes of Citation, War Admiral and Secretariat.

Trainer John Servis said, that Smarty came out of The Preakness as fit as can be. But Servis is now fearing that the grind of three races, at three tracks over three distances, in five weeks, could take a toll on his colt. 

Smarty Jones was sent off as the 3-5 favourite, by a record crowd of over a Hundred Thousand at Pimlico. As expected, Lion Heart set the pace, with Smarty being kept in a stalking position. Around the far turn, Elliot angled his colt to the inside, and the pair entered the stretch together. That's when the equine supertar Smarty Jones took of like a shot -and the race soon ceased to be a contest. Rock Hard Ten was second, Eddington placed third, followed by - Lion Heart, Imperialism, Sir Shackleton, Borrego, Little Matth Man, Song Of The Sword and Water Cannon.

Smarty Jones, is on his way to becoming Racing's richest horse for owners Roy and Pat Chapman. The Pennsylvania -bred has already earned a $ Five Million bonus from Oaklawn Park, for winning The Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby, and could earn another $ Five Million Bonus for sweeping The Derby and The Preakness, and if he wins The Belmont Stakes. Toss in his purses winnings, and the total would top $ 13 Million. Cigar is the leader at around $ 9, 999, 000. 

Smarty Jones was shipped back to Philadelphia Park on Sunday, and was scheduled to jog around his home track on either Wednesday or Thursday. Tentative plans call for Smarty Jones to arrive at Belmont Park early next week to become acclimatized to the track.

Among those expected to challenge Smarty Jones, are Rock Hard Ten and Eddington from The Preakness and a slew of Derby runners, including Birdstone, Friends Lake, Master David and Tapit.