Smarty Jones, who just missed sweeping the Triple Crown in 2004, was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on Friday.
One of the sport’s most popular horses, Smarty Jones was among seven inductees to the hall but the only one from the contemporary category. The ceremony took place in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., across the street from the racetrack.
Smarty Jones, the first undefeated Kentucky Derby (G1) winner since Seattle Slew in 1977, won his first six races before winning the Derby by 2 ¾ lengths. Two weeks later, Smarty won the Preakness Stakes (G1) by a then-record 11 ½ lengths.
In his bid to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978 in the Belmont Stakes (G1), Smarty Jones was passed by Birdstone in the final few strides and finished second.
Pat Chapman, who owned the Pennsylvania-bred, trainer John Servis, and jockey Stewart Elliott all attended the ceremony, which was emceed by Tom Durkin, the longtime track announcer who called the 2004 Triple Crown races.
“Beyond his talent, Smarty Jones had something even more special,” Servis said. “He had a connection with people. He wasn't just a racehorse, he was a hero.
“Whether it was his rags-to-riches story, his blue-collar roots or the way he fought every step of the way, fans saw themselves in him.”
Elliott was aboard Smarty Jones for all nine races, winning the first two at Philadelphia Park (now Parx), taking the Count Fleet at Aqueduct to kick off his 2004 campaign, then winning three Derby preps in Arkansas – the Southwest Stakes, the Rebel Stakes, and the Arkansas Derby (G2).
By the time the Belmont came around three weeks after the Preakness, a record crowd of 120,139 racing fans showed up at Belmont Park. Smarty Jones was voted the 2004 Eclipse Award winner as the 3-year-old male champion.
“Many people know Smarty, but I am fortunate and lucky enough to say that I was the only one on his back and felt how determined he was, how much heart he had and how much he loved to run,’’ Elliott said.
At age 24, Smarty Jones stands at stud at Equistar Trainer and Breeding in Pennsylvania.
Voted in by the historic review committee were Hermis, a top horse in the early 1900s; Decathalon, a sprinter from the 1950s; and George Conway, who trained 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral.
In the Pillars of the Turf Division, for leaders in the sport, there were three inductees: journalist Edward Bowen, breeder/farm owner Arthur Hancock III and horse and track owner Richard Ten Broeck.
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