Smarty Jones’ failure saddens the masses

Ralph Siraco

Monday, June 7, 2004 | 9:30 a.m.

Smarty Jones lost his bid for the Triple Crown. Smarty Jones lost the Belmont Stakes. Smarty Jones left a big hole in the stomach of most who watched a numbing defeat in the shadow of the finish line at Belmont Park on Saturday.

The record books will show for posterity that Birdstone won the 136th Belmont Stakes on June 5, 2004. The record will also reflect that America's 40th President died on that day as well. Although it would be blasphemy to suggest that Smarty Jones' magic carpet ride through the past six weeks matched Ronald Reagan's contributions to our country, the sense of loss was similar.

Empty, disappointing, shell-shocked and frustrated were some of the emotions that changed the defining roar to a flush of silence as Birdstone collared Smarty Jones in the homestretch. The scene at packed race books across Las Vegas was mirrored at racetracks and off-track betting centers around the country. Besides a highly rated television audience, a record-Belmont Park crowd of 120,139 waited all day to see Smarty Jones dispose of an ambitious group to gain a Triple Crown coronation.

But although the Belmont Stakes looked to be a formality for Smarty Jones, who would have become the 12th Triple Crown winner, it is the very degree of difficulty in winning the Triple Crown that showcases the sport's true champions.

Some have come close. Some should have won it. Some have overcome bad judgment and adversity to reach it. But no horse has ever won it that did not deserve it. The Triple Crown continues to be the most elusive trophy in sports.

Smarty Jones became America's horse in a period spanning several weeks. He was more than just a horse going for the rare feat of the Triple Crown. He was your best friend, your unlikely sibling or your favorite uncle. America fell in love with Smarty Jones.

They always hurt the one they love.

Smarty Jones was as gallant in defeat as he was brilliant in victory and he will not be forgotten. But Smarty will not be remembered for winning the Triple Crown.

There will be saturated debate as to the reason for Smarty's first career loss. The Belmont Stakes is certain to be over-analyzed and over-scrutinized. That is, after all, part of the healing process. Wondering what happened to Smarty's Triple Crown party and then wondering if we will ever see another Triple Crown winner. The clock is ticking at 27 years.

Some will point to the ride by jockey Stewart Elliott. There was a possibly premature move to engage what many thought were his two most serious challengers in Purge and Rock Hard Ten. Pushed to the lead by Eddington, Smarty reached the front perhaps too erly in the marathon race. Although Eddington held fourth place -- by a nose -- first Purge, who finished last of nine, then Rock Hard Ten, who checked in fifth, faded badly in the last half mile.

Smarty would hold set until late in the long Belmont Park homestretch before Birdstone took his measure by a length. There was an eight-length gap to third-place Royal Assault. Was there a tag-team mentality by Smarty's challengers? Did they gang up on Smarty Jones even if it compromised individual chances of victory?

Some will say that the interior fractions -- the mile timed in 1:35:44 -- may have led to a leg-weary Smarty Jones in the late stages. Some will say Smarty Jones is just not bred to conquer the 1 1/2-mile distance, by Elusive Quality out of the mare I'll Get Along, who is by 1986 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Smile.

Some will just say it was the event itself that got to Smarty Jones.

Some or all may be right.

Sorry is the common emotion for this year's Belmont Stakes experience. Even the connections of the winner Birdstone expressed sorrow in beating Smarty Jones. Jockey Edgar Prado -- who engineered the biggest Belmont Stakes upset when he won the race on 70-1 shot Sarava in 2002 to spoil War Emblem's Triple Crown quest -- apologized for the victory on national television before he got back to the winner's circle.

Imagine, a jockey apologizing for winning a race. Owner Marylou Whitney -- a New York racing aristocrat -- kept repeating how sorry she was to defeat Smarty Jones, saying Smarty Jones had done great things for racing. And trainer Nick Zito, who has tried to win the race 11 times before, expressed some sadness for his first Belmont Stakes victory at the expense of Smarty.

Those are examples of the respect and admiration the entire racing community has for Smarty Jones. Those emotions also hold true for the Smarty Jones team. Trainer John Servis showed as much class in defeat as he did when accepting the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes trophies. Although jockey Stewart Elliott was shaken by the loss, he too, waxed philosophic about the defeat.

History will show that Smarty Jones became the sixth horse in the past eight years to win the first two jewels of the Triple Crown before defeat at Belmont Park.

The final emotion that many should take away from this Triple Crown run is pride. Servis expressed that pride when he said that his team and all of Smarty's fans should hold their heads high. We couldn't agree more.

When they sprang the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby on May 1, no one could have predicted the high status that its winner would reach. Smarty Jones' Triple Crown quest became bigger than the sport itself.

Smarty Jones will be back to fight another day. And racing is better for it.