Smarty Jones Classic

mes5107 · #1 03-20-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

How exactly is " the industry is still realizing the benefits of Smarty Jones "?

There are horse racing fans that exist now mainly because of the media explosion that Smarty Jones created during his TC try. I'm online or at the racebook at least once a week, and Smarty was the main catalyst to me becoming interested in the sport. I'm positive that I'm not the only one.

Cajungator26 · #2 03-20-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

There are horse racing fans that exist now mainly because of the media explosion that Smarty Jones created during his TC try. I'm online or at the racebook at least once a week, and Smarty was the main catalyst to me becoming interested in the sport. I'm positive that I'm not the only one.

Smarty Jones? Are you serious? Hey, whatever gets people interested.

robfla · #3 03-20-2007, 01:02 PM

cg - your kidding me right??

smarty was a very very good horse and a great story and got LOTS of people interested.

mes5107 · #4 03-20-2007, 01:05 PM

Cajun,

Is it that big of a stretch to say that I had my interest piqued by a horse going for the triple crown? I'm still a young buck, and he had been the biggest story in horseracing that somebody not involved with the sport would know about at the time.

By no means am I saying that he is the greatest of all time, but he did bring attention to the sport, and he should be honored by PA. Without him, they may not have that big, shiny, new casino.

#5 03-20-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

By no means am I saying that he is the greatest of all time, but he did bring attention to the sport, and he should be honored by PA. Without him, they may not have that big, shiny, new casino.

Ahahahahaahha!! What?!?!?!

mes5107 · #6 03-20-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Ahahahahaahha!! What?!?!?!

Ok, maybe not big, but shiny and new.

blackthroatedwind · #7 03-20-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

Cajun,

Is it that big of a stretch to say that I had my interest piqued by a horse going for the triple crown? I'm still a young buck, and he had been the biggest story in horseracing that somebody not involved with the sport would know about at the time.

By no means am I saying that he is the greatest of all time, but he did bring attention to the sport, and he should be honored by PA. Without him, they may not have that big, shiny, new casino.

Well, while I am happy that he helped bring you on board, I can guarantee you he has NOTHING to do with slots being at Phili Park.

But, it's far more important if he created even one new fan, which he certainly seems to have.

Mortimer · #8 03-20-2007, 01:12 PM

There are horse racing fans that exist now mainly because of the media explosion that Smarty Jones created during his TC try. I'm online or at the racebook at least once a week, and Smarty was the main catalyst to me becoming interested in the sport. I'm positive that I'm not the only one.
---------------------------

Then you cough up the names of all the others.

I want them ALL.

blackthroatedwind · #9 03-20-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mortimerdexterfoxworthy

Then you cough up the names of all the others.

I want them ALL.

That would be great.....and I could give them all your phone number.

Mortimer · #10 03-20-2007, 01:17 PM

Oh.

I forgot.

See ya 'round Captain.

mes5107 · #11 03-20-2007, 01:24 PM

I didn't realize that Smarty Jones gave horseracing such a black eye. I'm sure that some people make him out to be more than he was, and it probably gets a little tiresome to hear. However, Philly Park had been pushing for slots for quite some time without any luck, and then a lot of legislators changed their stances on keeping the track afloat right around the same time that Smarty Jones was hitting his stride. Perhaps it was a coincidence, I can't prove or disprove that.

blackthroatedwind · #12 03-20-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

I didn't realize that Smarty Jones gave horseracing such a black eye. I'm sure that some people make him out to be more than he was, and it probably gets a little tiresome to hear. However, Philly Park had been pushing for slots for quite some time without any luck, and then a lot of legislators changed their stances on keeping the track afloat right around the same time that Smarty Jones was hitting his stride. Perhaps it was a coincidence, I can't prove or disprove that.

I don't think he in any way gave racing a black eye, but he created quite a dychotomy among fans, in that the hysteria surrounding him created a lot of hype, and many long time racing fans simply never saw it.

He was a good horse, and his Preakness was terrific, but for some of us it gets tiresome being told things like " if you don't think Smarty Jones is great you don't know anything about horseracing. "

I saw a lot of good horses, and saw them prove it on the racetrack, and I will never apologize for excluding Smarty Jones from their elevated status. Hell, he wasn't even in Skip Away's league.

Antitrust32 · #13 03-20-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Smarty Jones? Are you serious? Hey, whatever gets people interested.

being from the south, i dont think you can understand the buzz that smarty created in the north east that great summer of 04

Cajungator26 · #14 03-20-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

being from the south, i dont think you can understand the buzz that smarty created in the north east that great summer of 04

Maybe not... OR, maybe it has something to do with my age. Easy Goer got me into racing and I think that he would have put Smarty to shame, but that's JMO.

Antitrust32 · #15 03-20-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Maybe not... OR, maybe it has something to do with my age. Easy Goer got me into racing and I think that he would have put Smarty to shame, but that's JMO.

I dont know why you guys are down on this horse. won is first 8 starts including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. won 7.6 million dollars. only loss was that gut wrenching belmont stakes where he showed as much courage as any horse has recently (besides Barbaro and his fight to live - but that was different). What else was he supposed to do?

Then he was retired, but thats not the horses fault, and it turned out he was actually injured. He brought some good people like John Service and Stewert Elliot some fame and ignited horse racing in PA.

I dont know what more we can ask from that champ. So what if he wasnt burning up tracks with track records and wouldnt be considered the "best of all time". The "best of all time" arguments are garbage anyway. Different things happen every year and there is no point comparing a horse that ran in 2004 to a horse that ran in 1989, 1973 or 1921. Just a waste of time.

Smarty did a lot for horse racing in 2004, he will undoubtedly be inducted into the horsey hall of fame and he is a great story and hopefully will sire some good horses.

blackthroatedwind · #16 03-20-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

I dont know why you guys are down on this horse. won is first 8 starts including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. won 7.6 million dollars. only loss was that gut wrenching belmont stakes where he showed as much courage as any horse has recently (besides Barbaro and his fight to live - but that was different). What else was he supposed to do?

Then he was retired, but thats not the horses fault, and it turned out he was actually injured. He brought some good people like John Service and Stewert Elliot some fame and ignited horse racing in PA.

I dont know what more we can ask from that champ. So what if he wasnt burning up tracks with track records and wouldnt be considered the "best of all time". The "best of all time" arguments are garbage anyway. Different things happen every year and there is no point comparing a horse that ran in 2004 to a horse that ran in 1989, 1973 or 1921. Just a waste of time.

Smarty did a lot for horse racing in 2004, he will undoubtedly be inducted into the horsey hall of fame and he is a great story and hopefully will sire some good horses.

The amount of money he won is dramatically skewed by the $5 million bonus....but you knew that.

He will not " undoubtably be inducted " into the Hall of Fame. In fact, he should never be, and most likely will never be. Hell, we have people on this board arguing against Silver Charm, and while I can see both sides, he accomplished basically everything Smarty accomplished....and a whole lot more. To be honest, this is exactly the kind of distortions people have about Smarty Jones that wear me out.

Antitrust32 · #17 03-20-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The amount of money he won is dramatically skewed by the $5 million bonus....but you knew that.

He will not " undoubtably be inducted " into the Hall of Fame. In fact, he should never be, and most likely will never be. Hell, we have people on this board arguing against Silver Charm, and while I can see both sides, he accomplished basically everything Smarty accomplished....and a whole lot more. To be honest, this is exactly the kind of distortions people have about Smarty Jones that wear me out.

that 5 mill bonus still counted towards his earnings and was a big accomplishment. yes it dramatically increased his earnings, but Oaklawn laid the deal on the table and Smarty/Service/Elliot went out there and accomplished it.

I guess you and I differ about the HOF, I really believe he will be in there some day. Do you think Barbaro ever has a chance to be in the HOF?

#18 03-20-2007, 05:23 PM

Just to add to Blackthroated wonderful story of Bold Forbes:

Looks like at 2 he won the Saratoga Special S. (G2), Tremont S., and Clasico Dia de Los Padres (PR). I'm guessing he won the latter race earlier and then came to the Saratoga meet.

At 3, he won the San Jacinto S. (G2) and the Bay Shore S. (G3) prior to running/winning in the Wood. I dont know if San J. is in P.R. or what, maybe went back there to run..?

Then, after the TC...

he Ran 2ND San Miguel S.
and 3RD Vosburgh H. (G2) and San Vicente S. (G3)

Im guessing these were after the T.C. Hunter's book doesnt mention them and the Pedigree site doesnt specify, since Hunter mentions the San Jacinto and Bay Shore as preceeding the Wood I would guess the latter three were after the Wood. HUnter implies he was retired at 3.

He finished with 18 Starts: 13 - 1 - 4, $546,536; very nice.

blackthroatedwind · #19 03-20-2007, 05:30 PM

Thanks. I must have been wrong about the Special being his first NY start as the Tremont, I believe, has always preceded Saratoga. I have a lot of those charts and will take a look.

Yes! He won the Tremont on July 24th by five lengths over Iron Bit in 1:09 2/5. It was another nine lengths back to the third finisher. He paid $5.40 as the second choice to Iron Bit who was 4:5.

Linny · #20 03-21-2007, 08:59 AM

I haven't read all this but why does anyone care of a PA Bred race is being named after one of the most notable PA breds of recent vinatge?

As far as calling it a "classic" well the Sunshine Millions Classic was so named it's first year, as was the BC Classic and the Empire Classic. "Classic" has come to imply a race for 3+ usually at 9f featuring the best within it's category.

As far as naming races for people, why not? Laz deserves a race. I have no idea who Harrison Johnson or Leonard Richards or Robert Carpenter are but they all have races. I would be idiotic to imply that any are undeserving, not knowing who they were.