Howard Hamilton - Horse Sense AT LAST Thoroughbred Racing has a performer who has captivated audiences in a way which no other horse has done since Seattle Slew in 1977, Secretariat in 1973 or Sea Biscuit in 1937.
A star is indeed born and the floundering racing industry now has the opportunity of a new star to ignite the excitement and interest of audiences all over the world. The story of "Smarty Jones" and that of his owners, trainer and jockey have captivated audiences in a way which no other sporting hero has been able to do. This is indeed a fairy tale came true.
The story of Smarty Jones is not just about a Superstar but also the people who have made his story that much more phenomenal. There is the little known 39-year-old jockey, Stewart Elliot, who had to survive alcoholism and pay a US$1,000 fine prior to being able to ride in the Kentucky Derby because he failed to disclose an assault conviction. There is the straight -shooting, lung-impaired former car dealing owner, septuagenarian Roy Chapman, who uses an oxygen tank around the clock. He is so overcome with joy that he feels that he can now face death with a happiness and contentment beyond explanation. He is on the verge of making history in becoming the richest owner that racing has ever produced.
There is the unknown trainer, John Servis, who toils at Philadelphia Park, a small-time track that will never be confused with the epicentre of Thoroughbred Racing
ELUSIVE QUALITY
There was even the murder of the trainer who recommended Smarty Jones' dam, I'll Get Along, to the Chapmans and then later suggested he bred her to Elusive Quality
This is a story of a horse that cost US$50,000{US$40,000 for the mare and US$10,000 for the stud feed] and almost died from a fractured skull.
A fairy tale if ever there was one. Here we have all the ingredients for another Sea Biscuit- type epic the breath-taking story of "David fending off the might of Goliath" a small town trainer and an unknown jockey, with a not so fashionably bred horse from a small time track taking on the best and proving that racing is still the King of Sports and no longer a sport just for Kings.
I had the pleasure of being at Pimlico where the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown - the Preakness was run. This was an awesome display by a real Super star. He moved away from the field with such ease, winning by an ever increasing 11-1/2 length - the longest winning margin in the 129-year history of this race.
As the race unfolded Smarty Jones broke alertly just behind the speedy Lion Heart. Lion Heart maintained the lead into the final turn at which time Smarty Jones was asked to go. He quickly took charge and romped away with the others struggling in excess of 11-1/2 lengths behind. He was simply breathtaking. I don't recall the whip ever being seriously applied to him and as I watched him in the winners enclosure there was no sign of heavy breathing or any sign that he had exerted himself in that facile victory.
The comments of Gary Stevens who rode second place finisher Rock Hard Ten is worth recording: "That horse is as good as any horse I have ever seen, and I have seen some good ones and I was on a good one today. Smarty really reminded me of Secretariat the way he pulled away." The trainer of Rock Hard Ten, John Orman, was even more euphoric when he commented: "I was thinking if I had another race in him we might have only gotten beat by six lengths."
The Superstar has indeed arrived. There were those who doubted the quality of his unbeaten record going into the Kentucky Derby. This had only been achieved before by Majesty Prince in 1969 and Seattle Slew in 1977 and they were unanimous in their opinion that this little "upstart" was no Seattle Slew.
VICTORY
His victory in the Kentucky Derby caused all to take notice that this was indeed a Superstar in the making. A record crowd of 112,668 crammed into the stands and the infield at Pimlico and witnessed history in the making. Even neighbouring Laurel Park had over 12,000 people gathered to watch the "people's horse" vanquish the best of his age group. They wagered some US$85 million on the day with the Preakness alone attracting more than US$59 million - records which may never ever be broken.
And now we move on to the final jewel in the Triple Crown the 11/2 mile Belmont scheduled for Belmont Race Track in New York on the 5th of June. Already the New York Racing Association is making arrangements for the largest crowd ever to attend a sporting event. Television coverage will more than likely exceed any ratings previously achieved for a sporting event. And at the end of it all racing will be the richer. There will be thousand of new fans. Smarty Jones will join the ranks not only of the true Superstars of Racing but a great sports hero. I predict that Smarty Jones will remain unbeaten in his racing career. The racing world will be his oyster. When he is eventually retired I expect that he will be syndicated as a Stallion for a higher price than any other horse in the history of racing.
Let us ride this wave of euphoria and sustain the interest and enthusiasm that now grips the millions of people who still enjoy the grace, beauty and the breathtaking spectacle of a horse in motion.
Howard Hamilton is a former Chariman of Caymanas Track Limited and is the current President of The Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association. He can be contacted at howham@cwjamaica.com.
