Columnist Ralph Siraco: Smarty Jones scores lucrative stud deal

Ralph Siraco

Monday, June 28, 2004 | 9:05 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

As we move into the second summertime holiday weekend, there will be a full menu of racetracks from coast-to-coast simulcast into the race books of Las Vegas throughout the Fourth of July weekend. So, as we brace for the onslaught, here are some notes scribbled across my Daily Racing Form ...

We start with America's equine superstar, Smarty Jones.

It was announced last week that the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner has been syndicated for his second career -- as a stallion. Smarty Jones will stand at Three Chimneys Farm, Midway, Ky., when his racing career is over. Although the exact syndication amount was not disclosed, bloodstock insiders believe the total value of the deal is in the $48 million range.

At that level, Smarty Jones becomes the second-highest syndicated stallion to go to stud, behind only 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, whose total stallion value fell between $60 million and $70 million.

As part of the deal, Smarty's owners, Pat and Roy Chapman, will determine when the son of Elusive Quality will retire from racing. A statement released by Three Chimneys said: "The agreement calls for the Chapmans to make all racing decisions regarding Smarty Jones."

However, it is no secret that the insurance premiums onSmarty's racing longevity may be prohibitive beyond this year.

Smarty Jones is scheduled to start three to four more times this year. And Smarty's popularity and clout are still high. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is pulling out all the stops to try to lure Smarty Jones for two stakes races at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands.

Monmouth Park's Haskell Invitational could be Smarty's return to the races. The $1 million race set for Aug. 8 would be his first start since losing the Triple Crown in the June 5 Belmont Stakes.

His next objective would be the Pennsylvania Derby at his home track of Philadelphia Park on Sept. 6. In an effort to get Smarty to the Meadowlands, NJSEA officials would move the Pegasus Stakes to Oct. 1 to accommodate Smarty's schedule. They indicated that if Smarty Jones makes the race, a provision would elevate the race from a $250,000 purse to a half-million dollars.

The $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park, Texas, on Oct. 30 is still the final objective for Smarty this year.

Determined by popular vote, the ESPYs will be presented on July 14 with the show airing on ESPN at 6 p.m. PDT on July 18.

A Youngstown, Ohio, native, Cooksey was the second woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby -- aboard So Vague, who finished 11th in 1984 -- and the first to ride in the Preakness Stakes, aboard Tajawa in 1985. Cooksey briefly enjoyed the title as the winningest female rider in 1988 before Hall of Famer Julie Krone eclipsed that mark a few days after Cooksey set it.

It is the person Patricia Jean Cooksey who will be missed the most, however. Of unique character, she beat breast cancer in 2001 and serious leg injuries suffered in a racing spill in 2003. Cooksey personified the class of a previous era of athletes.

Pincay, the world's winningest rider of all-time, was forced into retirement due to a racing related injury last year.

The award will go annually to a person who has participated in the sport with integrity, dedication, determination and distinction, according to Hollywood Park officials.

Pincay, 57, registered 9,530 lifetime victories.

P. Val was leading the Hollypark standings with 33 victories when he was forced to the sidelines. Now, a month later, he still sits in a striking position to win the title, with 14 racing days left in the stand that ends on July 18. As of Sunday, Corey Nakatani sits at the top of the standings with 45 wins, followed by Tyler Baze at 38, Victor Espinoza with 37 and Alex Solis tied with Valenzuela at 33 victories.

Agent Corey Black indicated that Valenzuela with start slowly, with maybe four mounts on Thursday, but should be riding the card by the holiday weekend. The way P. Val can rack up multiple-win days, it would be no surprise to see him spot the colony of riders a month and still take the trophy.