Smarty's pattern does seem to have that look to it . Although each 4 of this horse's last efforts ( real big ones - the biggest kinds ) all came on very short rest , Smarty Jones still has really delivered . Everything seems to be going his way ... formfull pattern that performed as one might expect - excellent numbers pairing top's off a 0 2 X patteren in the Preakness last time - lots of wins & money + Love from fans etc. - now comes into the Belmont off an 0 2 X 0 ( all negative - #'s ) with a chance to make Racing history nailing down the 3rd Jewel of the Triple Crown and the Belmont Stakes . Personally I would have recomended that Smarty Jones pass the Ark Derby . Even had I been in a position to do that , how does one talk race horse owners , trainers and general connections out of probably the winners share of a $ 1 million dollar race and a $5 million bonus ? and never race Smarty Jones again after the Belomont win or lose ... Well I know enough about the game to know the answer to that question ! However I would seriously advise Smarty's people to buy lot's of horses ( from jerry ) to run in all those spots they'd like to go in after they retiere Smarty Jones to stand for breeding after saturday . The economics of breeding would have a tremendous upside and they must be thinking at least from a risk assessment point of view ( one would think ) about protecting their investment ... ofcourse that mean's no Breeders Cup for Smarty which might possibly provide an oppertunity to find out who's the best of the rest in 2004 , Purge comes to mind ... It's been a Remarkable 3 year old season for racing this year so far and no doubt will continue to get more interesting as the summer progresses , I would like to see some big big prices however .



Post Edited (06-03-04 01:11)

marcus