Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:32:12 GMT

Alex'sBigFan

Nice of you to remember, I sure don't. I even said Birdsong won the Belmont instead of Birdstone. I knew it was some damn bird anyway. The Belmont experience reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe so I'm surprised I didn't call him a Raven. Still, despite the Belmont I have cherished memories of Smarty and how exciting and special his career was. I think this series of articles is great in helping me to remember the beauty of Smarty, and to not be afraid to think of him for fear of reliving the loss. I didn't do to well for a few days. I went through all of the emotions that one would go through for a death in the family. Never before or since have I reacted so intensely to the loss of a game or race. My reaction shocked me. Where did that come from???!!!

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Steve Haskin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:02:56 GMT

Thanks, everyone for the kind words, especially you, Patty. Your words are beautiful and much appreciated. I wasn't looking for a rallying cry or anything. I just was afraid this might be overkill, with a story every day, and am happy to see people are enjoying each one. Because the Derby, which features Patty, and the Belmont are a major part of Smarty's legacy, I will conclude with both those stories, as painful as the latter might be. I tried my best to take a lot of the sting out. But I have to admit I have trouble watching that race myself, and cannot remember the last time I did watch it. But in the end, I think it became a major part of Smarty's legacy, much as Zenyatta's defeat in the Classic was.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Dr. Patty Hogan — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:41:24 GMT

Steve - please don't stop sharing your wonderful writings! By themselves, your stories about Smarty are priceless and draw the reader into a very special time and place. But I can tell you that as someone whose life and career was absolutely changed forever by a chance encounter with that wonderful horse, your stories are moving, insightful, and yes, heartbreaking. I will never be able to watch his Belmont Stakes again but somehow Smarty has surpassed that lone defeat in his legacy with the average fan and horse-lover. Your stories serve to illuminate so well to the reader the personality quirks, the intelligence, and the talents that made it obvious to all who knew him that Smarty was something really special and unique - please continue to share those stories with the fans (count me in as one big one).

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Rita — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:21:28 GMT

Steve, I to do not post every time but you better believe the first thing I look for on Blood Horse is to see if you have written anything and be sure I'm going to read it. I love your stories of the horses of old. Even tho Smarty is fairly new I still like to read about the things that went on behind the scenes.So please don't stop writing or posting rewrites.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:06:53 GMT

I'm just getting to read these Smarty stories Steve and they are priceless. I feel like I am reliving it, it's wonderful. I love the part where you said Julius Caesar could not have made a better entrance nor had a better reception! Another almost TC winner. I'll tell you there is nothing like being at Belmont Park with a Triple on the line, you can cut the tension in the air with a knife, and nothing like the letdown when it does not happen. I remember feeling so bad for Smarty that day. The way you write these stories Steve I feel like I am watching a movie, they are so great, don't stop here, I wish you would chronicle Smarty's Uruguay adventures -- Chapter I, Smarty & Las Senoritas! (I just love that line, it was originated by Dr. D. not me).

I still feel that genetics take time, and the 3 or 4 years is not enough, although he has been bred with apparently as many females that would fill 7 years. Maybe it's too much breeding too soon in too short of a time span? Alex, Smarty, Bernardini, etc. are still very young sires, no way are they proven yet, and they are not bionic with all this breeding. Hopefully Smarty will be prolific and successful in Uruguay, although I still say it has to be hard on them shuttling. I'm glad to hear he'll be in good hands.

Keep the Smarty stuff coming, if they do a Smarty movie Steve must write the script for sure.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Karen in Texas — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:45:19 GMT

MonicaV----Thanks for the quote from Baffert! I had heard it slightly differently. Not sure if I heard it from a race commentator or BB himself, but it went, "I just saw Smarty Jones work and we're all running for second money." I believe he made a similar prediction about Barbaro on Derby day. Smart guy that Baffert! It is my hope that Smarty will get at least one special foal as a sire--maybe one as special as Point Given was for Thunder Gulch.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

MonicaV — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:59:41 GMT

Steve,

I am loving this! I have never loved a horse the way I love Smarty. He was the most exciting thing to hit racing in years. His story, his connections his unbelievable talent, fantastic TC.

The entire nation was behind him and he gave his all. What a horse!

May God keep him healthy for a long time and hopefully he will pass on that unique quality that was his alone. He was special, so very special and gave us a ride we will never forget. I never tire of hearing about him. I remember a quote from Bob Baffert just before the Derby..."I just saw Smarty Jones work and I think we're all in trouble". How prophetic was that? It was a very special year for racing and I will never forget it. Thanks for the memories.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Terlingua — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:34:26 GMT

Steve, Hoping you will tack on the recaps at the end. Although I too cannot watch Smarty's Belmont, I would really love to read anything you have to say on the subject. He was truly a deserving Triple Crown Winner. It is so apparent that you love what you do, and you are the best at it. Thank you for continuing to write what you know best.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Someday Soon — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:15:50 GMT

Had to register today to let you know that everybody is reading about Smarty Jones, and remembering those days even though us up in Canada were watching from a long ways away back them. I am not much of a bettor but back then I wagered $20 on a future bet because I saw the name Smarty Jones and thought that was a great name. I then saw that he was owned/bred by Someday Farm. My girls and I have called ourselves Someday Soon Ranch and my oldest daughter's barrel horse was named Smarty so you see I had to bet on him. It paid $855 and change. Since then I cannot get enough of the Triple Crown and am on bloodhorse pretty much every single day and read everyone of your stories. You are an awesome writer Steve. As for the Belmont, I too cannot watch a replay of that devastating race still so it will be difficult to read what you write but having said that I feel it is imperative that you write about that day.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

California Girl — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:03:28 GMT

Steve - I read EVERYTHING that you write ALWAYS! Reading about Smarty is still painful after all this time and,like Karen in Texas, I certainly can not watch the replay of his heart-breaking Belmont race. I would really like to know what happened with Smarty's breeding career that has caused him to be on his way to South America. Certainly he would have been extremely desirable at stud here in the U.S. I would appreciate your response. Thank you!

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

bellesforever — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:50:19 GMT

Steve..I think we all were heart broken when Smarty lost in the state of N.Y. but I know that reading your Smarty stories has lifted my spirits and remembering his incredible ride is always a good time..please carry on!

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Rachel NH — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:39:25 GMT

Are you kidding? I LOVE ♥ remembering the greats! Smarty was a true champion and I have loved every story. Sometimes silence is a greater testament to what a writer has accomplished than babbling (which is what I'm doing here so I will stop...but don't you stop!)

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

calico cat — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:25:51 GMT

Mr. Haskin,

With your permission, I would like to to comment on your appearance (by phone) on 'Talkin' Horses", it was a gem!!! For those of us who may have missed it, here's the link to it:

cs.bloodhorse.com/.../steve-haskin-journalist.aspx

I can listen to you for hours and I hope this will not be your only appearance on this podcast, this year.

P.S. See what threatening to not continue has brought about? A flurry of comments telling you that we are listening to the greatest "turf-story-teller" of all times. :)

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

sr — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:20:19 GMT

Steve,

I'm not sure it's a particular interest in Smarty (though his story is wonderful) as much as it is an interest in the feel-good stories of racing and your emotion provoking telling of them that have people like myself always waiting to read them. Don't worry, if your writing we're reading.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Steve Haskin — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:54:41 GMT

I was just afraid posting a new story every day for an entire week on the same subject, people would lose interest. I have never done this before and wasn't sure if it would work. If there is still interest in Smarty, I will continue through the weekend. Please do not feel obligated to comment. As long as I know people are reading that's fine. I'll decide whether to tack on the Derby and Belmont recaps at the end.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Karen in Texas — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:28:18 GMT

Steve----As I've said before, your "grace of expression" is second to none! The way you craft your stories literally pulls the reader into the subject at hand. Perhaps the light response to the Smarty retrospective is due in part to the emotion he inspired and to the subsequent heartbreak of his Belmont loss. I, personally, cannot watch the replay to this day. We readers love your writing--please don't think otherwise!

In order to honor Smarty as he deserves, we fans could/should contact Parx Racing to show interest in the statue being displayed at Philadelphia Park. I do a lot of animal welfare work, and have seen fantastic results come from simple letter-writing campaigns. Their contact info is linked in the comments of the first story of this series.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Linda in Texas — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:24:31 GMT

Cris - you are so right about the people who work on the tracks no matter their tier. They are all winners when their's win.

The other day when Rocky World won Race 5 at Belmont on the 18th,at the odds of 78-1, owned by Mr.Bud Wolf,and Rocky World was trotted into the winner's circle by the jockey Jaime Rodriguez, you could see his walker or groomer lovingly patting Rocky on his neck over and over as he held his reins.

He was simply letting Rocky know how happy and proud he was of him

because that walker or groomer was a winner also. And so was i.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Linda in Texas — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:05:05 GMT

Steve, please do not let a small response to the stories about Smarty Jones disillusion you in their importance. We are all reading them, but the first one you published wrenched our memories and frankly our souls. How could anything else about him tweak our interests and where will we find space in our hearts to once again relive his journey? Many many of us still have enough reserve left to handle more. I think above all else, and i speak for myself here, Smarty Jones was reality to us. We cheered and prayed and hoped and treasured his wins. We wanted so badly for him to win the Belmont, and as in our daily lives, he lost the last one and when he did we were crushed but managed to live thru it. It takes a lot of energy to relive stories like Smarty's. Some of us can handle it again and some may have a hard time because perhaps some lost their own personal races.

We, and i know i speak for all the good and faithful fans of Mr. Steve Haskin, we love your style of writing and the way you tell the stories of the great behemoths of the race tracks and we thank you for being you. In the editorial department, as far as i am concerned, the mold was broken when Mrs. Haskin's son Steve took up a pen and wrote his first story.

Thank you Steve

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

sr — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:03:35 GMT

Steve,

Please continue posting these kind of stories even if the # of comments aren't what you or management hopes for. Articles like yours are the kind of stuff new fans need to see and those of us who our regular readers love even if we don't comment. I for one ALWAYS read your blog though I rarely post a comment. Keep up the great work and keep the stories coming. A BIG THANK YOU!

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:43:12 GMT

The whole story is so incredible which made the Belmont loss that much more painful. I think what grabbed me the most is how he recovered from his serious gate injury. Nothing bothered him, Smarty was a true champion in every sense. I think we loved that he was from Philly like Rocky was. Smarty felt like an underdog because of the gate injury, the poor health of Roy Chapman, and how they had reduced their stable to two horses after the murder of the the man who was supposed to have been his trainer. Undefeated and kicking butt, our first Triple Crown in 26 years seemed to be a reality in the stretch at Belmont. It looked like he might even romp again like he did in The Preakness, then seemingly out of nowhere like a cruel prank or a horror movie comes Birdsong to snatch the incredible joy from us in an instant and turn it into crushing, disbelieving terror and devastation. Can't we do it again? It can't be over. This couldn't have happened. It was a fabulous ride while it lasted but ended like a roller coaster ride at a cheap Fair that went off the track and came crashing to the ground. A bird caused the wreck but we weren't singing. We were screaming, sobbing, stunned and heartbroken. But Smarty is alive and well and remains one of our greatest champions. I vote for posting your final stories Steve.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

calico cat — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:15:00 GMT

Mr. Haskin,

Just because we don't respond doesn't mean we aren't reading and enjoying this trip through Smarty's Days of Glory and Fame.

Speaking for myself (and I'm sure other Haskinites) I assure you that I look forward to any article from you, either new or from the past, and that I appreciate them greatly. I just don't always have something new and intelligent to say. :)

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Cleone — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:44:55 GMT

Geez, Steve. Now I'm all choked up!

What a wonderful experience for all the folks at Philly Park! It reminds me of being at Hollywood Park last fall, and watching pony riders and other backstretch folks stop what they were doing to take photos - or just gawk - as Zenyatta walked by.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Steve Haskin — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:40:02 GMT

Thanks, Linda and Deacon. Cris, I don't think they will rekindle anythingfrom Philly Park.. Horsey Canuck, thank you for the kind words, but I'm debating whether to post the final two or three stories. There hasn't been much response to this retrospective in regard to comments and remembrances from readers. Thanks to all who did write in with your remembrances of Smarty.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

A Horsey Canuck — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:24:50 GMT

Steve, your writing about Smarty Jones reminds me of one of the comments in the Extended video of Secretariat's Belmont. I forget who said it, but it was, "C'mon, how good can this guy go?". Like Linda in TX said, your stories just keep getting better, and I look forward to reading the next two. Thanks so much for re-kindling such vivid memories of such a treasured fellow. Smarty's great days live on through your words.

re: Smarty Jones - Hail the Conquering Hero

Cris — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:43:41 GMT

Anyone that has been on the backside of a 2nd tier track knows how much it means to the people that work there when something special comes along. If anything I hope these stories rekindle action on Smarty's statue being placed there. He proved without a doubt that people love racing and they will come out at 7am to watch them walk by if they have something to look at. How many little kids remember the day their Dad was late for work so he could take them to see Smarty Jones?