OK, it's not the boldest of predictions, but thought I'd go on record with it anyway. Got to love a horse that's smallish as thoroughbreds go, is based at a very, um, "modest" track (Philadelphia Park), has visible dents in his head from where he fractured his own skull, and yet ran a great race at the Kentucky Derby and devastated the Preakness field.
Of course, a Philly friend of mine expects Smarty to lose in spectacular fashion, as befitting a cherished hope of Philadelphia sports fans. Figures Smarty to come out of the final turn and then throw the jockey, jump the rail, and take a trot in the grandstand.
Smart Pants is so darn overrated its pathetic, who has he beaten?? No horse worth anything, both races had no real true horse that has come from any horse worth anything, if he wins the triple crown it WILL NOT be a true triple crown..he's not racing against anything AT ALL..
I don't know much about horse racing and breeding, but I don't buy the idea that for some reason this year there are no great horses running. The pedigrees of these three-year-olds are as distinguished as those of past years and their records of victories are every bit as good as in the past. Breeders, owners and trainers didn't just take a year off to give a runt like Smarty a chance to win. Smarty Jones has thus far just made all the rest of the fields in the Derby and Preakness look bad. If he can repeat those feats today at Belmont, he will be idolized every bit as much as every other triple crown winner.
I never understood horse racing. When you show up at the track, how are you supposed to know who's good other than by what odds are for a horse? Betting on March Madness is tough enough but at least you can do research on your teams. Can you do this for horse racing?
Yes, victory, information about the horses is available, but it takes some work and research. Most people out for a good time just look at the names of the horses and the odds and throw their money away at the window, a strategy, come to think of it, which works just as well as doing all the blood line work and racing history of the horses. There's nothing more frustrating than working out all the information scientifically and then having some bimbo who thought the name of some paste-factory nag was cute win a pile of money.
Well, you've now seen a demonstration of my ability to pick winners! When I get around to posting my pick to win the US Open, you can be sure that person will miss the cut!
About the race: Smarty just didn't seem to have enough to win a race of that distance. Rock Hard Ten, despite looking impressive at a couple of points (especially during a late surge to press Smarty), also seemed to have trouble with the distance. In contrast, Birdstone (in the opinion of his trainer, Nick Zito) was bred for that distance. To use an expression golf has borrowed from thoroughbred racing: "Horses for courses."
Anyway, it was a great win for the Birdstone camp. Zito has his first Belmont winner after taking 2nd at 5 previous Belmonts. Jockey Edgar Prado (who thwarted War Emblem's shot at the Triple Crown 2 years ago) rode a great race. And owner Marylou Whitney got to see her beloved colt win on home turf. To their credit, they all conveyed respect for the Smarty Jones camp, which is kind of a blue-collar operation by comparison.
About Philadelphia (where I have family and friends): I was there 3 weeks ago and observed the building frenzy over Smarty. In their desperation for a champion (no champs there since the 1983 76ers), they had turned to a horse. Now they've been let down by a member of another species. Will the pain ever end???
Talk about desperation! The sports gods must hate Philly: They tease the fans with near success, only to snatch away victory at the last minute like they did with the Eagles the past three years. Even a new baseball stadium isn't helping the Phillies, who have flashes of success and then go on four-game losing streaks. It's too pathetic to even think about. I've even given up watching Philadelphia sports in the hope that my interest has been jinxing them and that my ignoring them will turn things around. I don't think that it's going to work.
June 4th, 2004, 11:55 PM
Smarty Jones to win the Belmont Stakes
no blood lines...horse is overrated
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