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| | Don't blame jockey for Smarty's loss
Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 By Harry King LITTLE ROCK - When a dream dies on the racetrack, the jockey is an easy scapegoat. Blaming Stewart Elliott for Smarty Jones' loss in the Belmont is off base. The 39-year-old rider - a Philadelphia-based face in the crowd until the Kentucky Derby - could do little Saturday when Smarty had no one to chase in the 1 1-2-mile race. Beginning with the Southwest at Oaklawn Park, Smarty Jones had been in the same position five races in a row. Wildcat Shoes, Purge twice and Lion Heart twice were willing to set the table for Smarty who cruised past them on his way to five victories by a total of almost 20 lengths. Attempting to complete his Triple Crown run, Smarty Jones was the one being chased. On the long run down the backstretch, Rock Hard Ten and Eddington were always nipping at his heels, never allowing him to just gallop along. The first half-mile was painless enough, but the second was a demanding 46.79 seconds, equaling the fastest Belmont opening mile in 19 years. In the final half-mile, Smarty Jones took 52 seconds - close to walking for a fast horse. If Elliott had taken hold of Smarty early in the race and forced him to retreat, he might have confused the animal. Maybe Elliott went to the whip too early in the stretch, but Smarty did everything he could do to win the race. He was out of gas. Remember, the Belmont was his sixth race at four racetracks since Feb. 28 - nobody else in the race had run that many times during the same period. In fact, Saturday was only the third race since Feb. 15 for Birdstone, the third straight Belmont winner who did not run in the Preakness three weeks prior. The loss was so disappointing to so many, particularly racing newbies infatuated with Smarty Jones and his people, that trainer Nick Zito and Birdstone will never get the credit they deserve. Months ago, when horseplayers first start talking about the Kentucky Derby, Birdstone was high on the short list because of his Oct. 4 victory in the Grade I Champagne - run at Belmont by the way. He was on track until March 20 when he ran fifth in Kentucky and New York-based Zito screamed about the track condition. To many, it sounded like sour grapes. Six weeks later, Birdstone finished 15 1-4 lengths behind Smarty Jones and the Birdstone bandwagon was barren. Along the way, Zito also had to suffer through ups and downs with The Cliff's Edge, who has not raced since losing two shoes in the Derby. Down the line, it may turn out that Birdstone was simply a grinder who wore down everybody's darling. Along those lines, it will be interesting to watch Smarty Jones against older horses later in the year. Even more important for the future of horse racing is to see if those who followed Smarty's trek from Hot Springs to Louisville to Baltimore to New York pay attention to the Jockey Gold Cup or the Breeders' Cup Classic. Those of us who have shared unforgettable days at Oaklawn with close friends or relatives can only hope that Smarty piqued the interest of some who will turn out on a frigid Friday in February for live racing. For now, Smarty Jones will get a well-deserved rest. Servis plans to run the colt in the Sept. 6 Pennsylvania Derby - a classy way for the trainer to say thank you to the thousands who watched the horse jog around Philadelphia Park. He'll catch some heat for taking that route over the more respected Haskell and Travers, but loyalty is more important to him than pleasing some national media. If there was any doubt about Smarty's nationwide appeal, check the TV ratings. NBC's telecast drew the best overnight rating for the Belmont since 1977 when Seattle Slew became the 10th Triple Crown winner. This year the ratings were up almost 30 percent over a year ago when Funny Cide's Triple Crown bid was extinguished by Empire Maker. ABC broadcast the Triple Crown from 1987 until NBC took over in 2001 and you might have noticed that the races are getting later and later. For years, 4:38 p.m. was post time. Two years ago, the Belmont was off at 5:15. Last year, it was 5:40. Saturday, it was 5:48 and the last race at Belmont was scheduled for 6:50. By the time another Smarty comes around, the race might be in prime time. ----- Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media Group's Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com. |
