PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nearly 21 years after a magical run in which he fell just a length short of taking the Triple Crown, Smarty Jones has been voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
“When I think about that horse, he puts a smile on my face every time,” said owner and breeder Pat Chapman. “Smarty was pretty close to perfect, and he had the right trainer and the right jockey.”
The trainer: John Servis. The jockey: Stewart Elliott. But when Chapman thinks about Smarty, one man comes to mind.
“I think about my husband, and the great pride he had, and the great joy he had in watching that horse.”
Chapman says her late husband, Roy, would’ve been even happier than she is to learn of Smarty’s induction. And the Chapmans weren’t alone in their love for Smarty Jones.
When he won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and weeks later set a record with an 11 ½ length victory in the Preakness, he captured the hearts of the Philly faithful. Chapman remembers thousands showing up to watch him practice.
“They loved his name. They loved the nice, fluid motion. They would turn out early, stand in line, pack themselves against the rail to watch him for two minutes.”
Smarty never raced after the narrow Belmont loss, retiring due to health. It was the only one of his nine races he didn’t win. Now he breeds mares from the comfort of Equistar Farm in Annville, Lebanon County. He’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 1.
“He almost smiles at you, and you know what? He knows he’s an important horse,” Chapman said. “He just seemed to be the hero that Philadelphia had been wanting for a long time.”