Smarty Jones was an incredible story. His failure to win the Triple Crown was very disappointing, because I really felt he was the horse most likely to accomplish it since Easy Goer. On Triple Crown wins he out did the Big Easy. If the Belmont was a 10 mark race Smarty would have won by 3-4 lengths, but the early pace battles took their toll on Smarty and he faded in late stretch. Which is not to say Birdstone was zooming, he certainly was not, but Smarty did get short late. I had Birdstone hooked up solidly in second. If Smarty wins Its a big score for me, but I didn't have a dime on a result where Birdstone gets up. The only pace horse near the winner in the end was Smarty. Everyone else faded well back. If Smarty could have run with just a little more restraint, he wins easily. But it wasn't to be. Now his dam just sold for 5 million but how can that type of Lightning ever strike twice? I don't get it.

Theres been some good broodmares. Alluvial, Ballade and Weekend Surprise come to mind. Alluvial getting Coastal and Slew O' Gold, Ballade getting Devil's Bag, Glorious Song and Saint Ballado, and Weekend Surprise getting A.p. Indy, Summer Squall and Honor Grades, but I think betting five million that another Smarty Jones is in I'll Get Along is at best the longest of long shots.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/60761.html

CtC



Post Edited (11-14-04 11:40)