Smarty Jones

Smarty Jones final Belmont workout

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones had his final workout before his attempt to sweep the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes on Friday May 28th. The chestnut son of Elusive Quality worked seven furlongs over a fast track at Philadelphia Park breezing in 1:29 1/5 under his regular rider Stewart Elliott. The workout started at 5:40am and had over 50 media members and a news helicopter in attendance. Smarty Jones entered the racing strip at the gap, walked clockwise back to the 4 1/2 furlong pole, then jogged counterclockwise to the seven-furlong marker on the first turn where he began his work at 5:51am. His fractional splits for the workout were 26 3/5 for the first quarter, 39 1/5 for three furlongs, 51 1/5 for the half mile, 1:03 1/5 for five furlongs, 1:16 1/5 for six furlongs, and 1:29 1/5 for seven furlongs. He galloped out a mile in 1:44 2/5.

After the workout, jockey Stewart Elliott said, "Things went great-just what we were looking for. He felt super. He was very comfortable the whole way and it worked out perfect-just what we were looking for. Everything looks good." When asked if he though Smarty could handled the 1 1/2 mile distance of the Belmont, he said "He finished that race (the Preakness) very easily and galloped out very strong. When he pulled up after the race he wasn't even really tired, so the extra distance should be fine."

John Servis and Stewart Elliott

He was good. He got to playing a little bit toward the end of his cooling-out period. He let out a couple of squeals, so I'm probably going to have to do a little something with him-maybe let him get a real strong gallop on Tuesday...something along those lines. I was real happy with where he's at right now." When asked about his schedule for the next few days he said, "He'll walk tomorrow. Sunday he'll probably jog unless he's a complete maniac tomorrow. Monday he'll gallop with the pony. I'm thinking Tuesday - or Wednesday if we ship Wednesday - I'll let him have a nice strong gallop. Then he'll pony the rest of the week."

Friday morning barn foreman, Bill Foster said, "He came out of the work perfect. We walked him for 25 minutes this morning and he was really on the muscle--squealing and bucking. I even had to put a shank in his mouth to keep him under control. He's absolutely 100%--doing very, very good. He gobbled down all of his dinner last night. His temperature's good, legs are cold, just perfect."

I know we are all rooting for Smarty to win the Belmont, and so far everything looks to be on track. Here's hoping that in a week we will be toasting the 12th Triple Crown winner!

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