I think had that race taken place in Europe, Bailey and Solis would have been sat down for the year by the stewards, and I'm not kidding.
A clearly blatant attempt to sacrifice any chance their mounts had to win just to try and make sure another horse lost.
Its probably the most incredible race I ever saw a horse run, no kidding.
He was basically under siege every step of the way by two horses who both went on to win grade one's. Their use of energy had them shooting backward in the field on the turn and they stopped to walks. Smarty kicked on and was passed near the wire, never stopped trying and even tried to come back on Birdstone, and was beaten a length.
I highly doubt that in my life I will ever see another 3 year old like Smarty. I'd say its just about impossible.
That race, much more than his Preakness, marked him as one of the best three year olds who ever stepped onto a race track.
Anyone who doesn't understand what he did that day should really take up shuffleboard or needlepoint as a hobby.