Smarty Jones Classic

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Not to be overly critical, but if you don't know who Laz Barrerra was, I find it hard to even have a discussion that in any way involves the history of the game. You simply have a myopic view of the game that centers around one OK horse while ignoring the plentitude of players in this game that deserve at least as much attention....and in many cases more.

By the way, that attendance, while substantial, was phony.

How so? The fact that he was the single reason for the largest on site attendance in New York sports history says something for what his run did for the industry. It was a good horse, a better story, and an unbelievable 5 weeks. Whether you liked him or not, the industry is still realizing the benefits of Smarty Jones.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Samarta

How so? The fact that he was the single reason for the largest on site attendance in New York sports history says something for what his run did for the industry. It was a good horse, a better story, and an unbelievable 5 weeks. Whether you liked him or not, the industry is still realizing the benefits of Smarty Jones.

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


And, by the way, calling it the largest on site attendance in New York Sports is a skewed approach, as while leaving out the fact that the announced attendance was a lie, it is only a " record " because of the amount of people Belmont is able to hold as opposed to other sports arenas. I think if Yankee Stadium held 250,000 people that Belmont record would certainly not exist and easily the same thing could be said for Madison Square Garden for, at least, the first Ali/Frazier fight. Or, perhaps you would like to argue with me that Smarty Jones had more popular and worldwide appeal than that heavyweight bout.

Remember, I am not the one who tried to skew this arguement with a misleading statistic.

Heh it's Philadelphia Park...who cares if they name a race after Smarty.


Even headphone kitty doesn't care...

[mes5107]

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]

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]

cg - your kidding me right??

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

[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.

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]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Ahahahahaahha!! What?!?!?!

Ok, maybe not big, but shiny and new.

[blackthroatedwind]

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]

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]

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]

Oh.

I forgot.





See ya 'round Captain.

[Antitrust32]

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]

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]

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.

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.

[Linny]

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.

[blackthroatedwind]

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.

Well I am certainly glad to hear that. I hope that every nice horse that comes along entices more people to this great game. I would like nothing more than to be wrong in my belief that Smarty Jones did very little good for the game. I sincerely hope that you are the rule, and not the exception, for those that jammed Belmont in 2004. One thing is for sure....we need all the help and new fans we can get.

Best of luck.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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


And, by the way, calling it the largest on site attendance in New York Sports is a skewed approach, as while leaving out the fact that the announced attendance was a lie, it is only a " record " because of the amount of people Belmont is able to hold as opposed to other sports arenas. I think if Yankee Stadium held 250,000 people that Belmont record would certainly not exist and easily the same thing could be said for Madison Square Garden for, at least, the first Ali/Frazier fight. Or, perhaps you would like to argue with me that Smarty Jones had more popular and worldwide appeal than that heavyweight bout.

Remember, I am not the one who tried to skew this arguement with a misleading statistic.

I have been to all the belmonts since 1996 and 2004 was PACKED! I dont know if there were 120,000 but there were sooo many people there. That was before they blocked the college kids from bringing in beer.

Also, Smarty Jones very much increased the population of horse racing "casual" fans. At least for that 5 week period of the triple crown. I was living in PA at the time. Everyone was having Smarty Parties for the Belmont.

Even now when I talk about horse racing to the average Joe who has never been to the track they bring up Smarty Jones.

He was and will be one of my favorite horses of all time. I bought a nice painting of him from Nick Martinez over the summer. I wish i could use it as my avatar!