3. Birthdate: Feb. 28, 2001.
Owners
Roy and Pat Chapman, Someday Farm - Following the murder of the Chapman's horse trainer, Bob Camac and his wife Maryann, (by Maryann's son Wade Russell) in December 2001, and concerned about 77-year-old Roy Chapman's ongoing battle with emphysema, the Chapman's considered getting out of the horse racing. They decide to disband their breeding operation, but retained Smarty Jones and three other horses. In 2003, Smarty Jones was sent to Philadelphia Park, where John Servis took over his training.
Trainer
John Servis - Servis is a 45-year-old a second-generation horseman whose father was a jockey.He lives in Bensalem, Pa., near Philadelphia Park, which became Smarty Jones' training ground.
Jockey
Stewart Elliott - A 39-year-old Toronto-born jockey, Elliott has been Philadelphia Park's leading jockey the past several years. Elliott is currently under investigation for his failure to disclose a guilty plea to assault three years ago when he applied for a license to ride at Churchill Downs. He has, however, been cleared to ride in the Preakness and his troubles in Kentucky will not effect the results of the Kentucky Derby, but could result in disciplinary action in Kentucky.
Smarty's Name
Smarty Jones was a nickname of Pat Chapman's late mother, Mildred McNair, whose grandparents, Mama and Papa Jones, nicknamed her Smarty Jones. Mildred was also was born on a Feb. 28.
Smarty's Parents
Smarty Jones is the offspring of the Kentucky stallion Elusive Quality and of I'll Get Along, whose sire is the sprint champion Smile.
Smarty's Home
Smarty's home is at Philadelphia Park. He is the second Pennsylvania-born Derby winner, joining Lil E. Tee (1992)
Flirtation with Death
Last July, Smarty's handlers were trying to train him to work in the starting gate. He reared, struck his head on an iron bar and collapsed. His trainer, John Servis, exclaimed, "Oh my God, the horse killed himself." Blood poured from his nostrils and his head swelled. It was feared that he would die. Smarty was shipped to the New Jersey Equine Center where Smarty was diagnosed with a broken orbital bone and multiple hairline fractures. His injuries were not life-threatening. He spent three weeks in the hospital.
8 for 8
Has won all eight races he's started, six in 2004, and $7,383,155 in earnings, placing him No.4 on the all-time earnings list. Smarty Jones is just the third horse ever to make it through the Preakness without a loss, joining Seattle Slew in 1977 and Majestic Prince in 1969.
Smarty's Wins
Preakness (Pimlico Race Course, May 15, 2004)
Kentucky Derby (Churchill Downs, May 1, 2004)
Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park, April 10, 2004)
Rebel Stakes (Oaklawn Park, March 20, 2004)
Southwest Stakes (Oaklawn Park, Feb. 28, 2004)
Count Fleet Stakes (Aqueduct, Jan. 3, 2004)
Nursery Stakes (Philadelphia Park, Nov. 22, 2003)
Maiden race (Nov. 9, 2003)
Bonus
By winning the Kentucky Derby, Smarty Jones earned a $5 million "Centennial Bonus" for winning the Arkansas Derby, Rebel Stakes and Kentucky Derby. He is now the only horse eligible for a Triple Crown sweep of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes and a $5 million bonus offered by Visa.
Other Triple Crown Races
Belmont Stakes (June 5)