Smarty Jones eyes spot in history books

Ralph Siraco

Friday, June 4, 2004 | 9:52 a.m.

Smarty Jones has a date with destiny on Saturday in the Belmont Stakes.

His performance will determine whether he becomes the sixth horse in the past eight years on the "near miss" list of Triple Crown could-have-beens, or the 12th horse in history to earn the most coveted prize in the Sport of Kings.

When they drew the field for the 136th renewal of the "Test Of Champions" on Wednesday, there were more brave equine souls -- or at least their human connections -- than many had predicted to take on Smarty Jones, America's newest superstar, in the third and longest race of the Triple Crown.

Smarty Jones is looking and acting prepared for Saturday's big test. He has been conditioned to peak at the right time by his trainer, John Servis. He has been masterfully ridden to his undefeated record of eight lifetime victories by jockey Stewart Elliott and is owned by a couple -- Roy and Patricia Chapman -- who have stayed away from being couch navigators. The Smarty team is a smart team.

Smarty Jones is also doing something that horses that fell short in recent Triple Crown bids did not: He is getting stronger and better as he moves through the most grueling five weeks a sophomore will ever experience. And his human team seems to be a little more weather-beaten by the Triple Crown rigors than their gutty little chestnut colt.

While Smarty Jones really does cut the cloth of a Triple Crown champion -- at least leading up to the 1 1/2-mile Grade I Belmont -- so many near misses in recent years have prompted caution from even the most adamant Smarty supporters. Smarty Jones is not only trying to reach a plateau that only 11 have ever achieved, but is bucking that recent history in his attempt.

Since Affirmed became the 11th winner of the Triple Crown in 1978, nine horses have won the first two jewels of the Triple Crown.

In 1979 Spectacular Bid came into the Belmont on the heels of Affirmed's 1978 triumph and Seattle Slew's 1977 Triple Crown victory. The third time, however, was not the charm for the gray. Hindered by a rookie ride by Ronnie Franklin, Spectacular Bid finished third. A day later, trainer Buddy Delp announced that his horse had stepped on a safety pin in his stall the morning of the race.

Two years later, Pleasant Colony took the first two jewels then finished third in the 1981 Belmont after the brash, outspoken trainer Johnny Campo declared his horse would not lose the Belmont Stakes.

Alysheba was the hope in 1987 after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, beating Bet Twice twice. In the Belmont, Bet Twice turned the tables while Alysheba faded to fourth, losing out on a million-dollar bonus that he would have won if he finished third or better in the Belmont.

In 1989, Sunday Silence came up short as runner-up to nemesis Easy Goer in the Belmont.

Then came the recent flurry.

Silver Charm grinded out photo-finish wins in the 1997 Derby and Preakness before Touch Gold rallied to win the Belmont.

Real Quiet took the Derby and Preakness the next year only to miss the Crown by a nose while second to Victory Gallop in the 1998 Belmont. Some blamed poor timing in a ride by Kent Desormeaux.

Charismatic won the 1999 Derby and Preakness only to end up third in the Belmont.

In 2002, War Emblem took the Derby and Preakness only to stumble to his knees at the start of the Belmont. He never recovered in the race.

Last year, a hometown crowd watched as Empire Maker avenged his failure as Derby favorite to hand Funny Cide, the Derby and Preakness champ, a defeat in the New York mud.

In each instance, there have been worthy rivals turning the tables on the Derby and Preakness champions, or apparent acts of fate marked by injury, racing luck or track conditions leading to losses by the Triple Crown aspirants.

No rivals in this year's Belmont appear to have the ability to turn the tables on Smarty Jones. He makes his own racing luck with his tactical speed and rating style. Smarty won the Arkansas and Kentucky Derbies on muddy tracks. And he is as healthy as any horse can be.

If Smarty Jones does not win the Belmont, only one horse will have beaten him: Smarty Jones himself.

Here is the field for the $1 million Belmont Stakes, in post position order with rider and odds:

1. Master David

Jose Santos...20-1

Third in the recent Peter Pan Stakes, a local prep for the Belmont, this Bobby Frankel trainee was beaten by 18 1/2 lengths by Smarty Jones in the Kentucky Derby.

2. Purge

John Velazquez...5-1

Runner-up to Smarty Jones in the Rebel Stakes and fifth to Smarty in the Arkansas Derby, this Todd Pletcher trainee gets another chance after a solid win in the Peter Pan.

3. Caiman

Ramon Dominguez...50-1

Won an allowance race at Hawthorne the same day Smarty Jones was winning the Kentucky Derby. A three-time winner in Mexico, but figures to be south of the border here.

4. Birdstone

Edgar Prado...15-1

Beaten by more than 15 lengths by Smarty Jones while eighth in the Kentucky Derby. One of two entered from the Nick Zito stable. His promise is growing long in the tooth.

5. Rock Hard Ten

Alex Solis...8-1

Runner-up, beaten by 11 1/2 lengths, in the Preakness. Promising son of Kris S. is seen as a possible spoiler for Smarty Jones coronation. Jockey Gary Stevens, who rode this guy in the Preakness, says he may not have as many "gears" as Smarty Jones.

6. Royal Assault

Pat Day...20-1

Won the Sir Barton on the Preakness undercard. The "other" Zito trainee likes to run all day. He'll get that opportunity with the Belmont's marathon distance. But Smarty might like to run all day, too.

7. Tap Dancer

Javier Castellano...50-1

Fourth in the Sir Barton, his claim to fame is being stabled at the same track as Smarty Jones. However, he had to wait until Smarty was done with the Philadelphia Park track before being allowed to train over the same oval.

8. Eddington

Jerry Bailey...10-1

Beaten by 13 1/2 lengths by Smarty Jones in the Preakness while finishing third for the third consecutive time. Won previous two outings. Best testament for possible improvement is rider Bailey sticking with him.

9. Smarty Jones

Stewart Elliott...2-5

Shine up the trophy and crown a new superstar.

As we have suggested throughout this Triple Crown series, exotics play is the only way to make money. With that in mind we will key Smarty Jones in trifectas with Purge, Rock Hard Ten and Eddington. Key No. 9 with Nos. 2, 5 and 8. A $2 trifecta key equals a $12 bet.

It's Smarty's party now.