Roses For Smarty

re: Roses For Smarty

California Girl — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:39:06 GMT

Thank you, Steve, for this beautiful and beautifully written story. I'm looking forward to tomorrow night's story and I'm hoping you will include some clue as to why Smarty could not stay here at stud rather than going to South America.

re: Roses For Smarty

Rita — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:48:00 GMT

That is funny about the squirrel. I would of liked to have seen Smarty up in the air. Also Slew I have the same problem with squirrels messing up my bird feeders but 2 of them are special 1 is blonde and 1 is red both are odd and pretty. Smarty is a great horse and will go down in history as so. It broke my heart when he lost to Birdsone, But it is like with Zenyatta I still remember his name just like with her, I always will and what they did, but to the others, who?

re: Roses For Smarty

Steve Haskin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:55:38 GMT

Thanks, Canuck. I know exactly how you feel about watching the Belmont, but I am concluding this series Sunday evening with the Belmont recap, with a lot of new material added about Smarty. As I said earlier, it is more of a tribute to Smarty's legacy than just a report on his final race.

re: Roses For Smarty

A Horsey Canuck — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 11:41:56 GMT

Thank you Steve for taking us on such a wonderful journey, rekindling the grandeur that was Smarty Jones. I read your "Roses for Smarty" and then I watched his Derby run all over again. I felt like I had watched it twice, once in print and then in filmed action. I must admit, you touched on so many things about Smarty that I either didn't know or didn't remember...probably the latter - getting older will do that to a person. You have lit the flame again for me and I thank you for re-printing Smarty's story as only you could tell it. I still can't watch the 2004 Belmont but can hear Tom Durkin announce sadly, "Birdstone WINS the Belmont Stakes"; you could hear his audible sigh. Thanks again, Steve. I hope someone, someday, writes about you the way you wrote about Smarty.

re: Roses For Smarty

Slew — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:59:54 GMT

Golly, I sure would like to rent Smarty for a few days. I've got about 7 or 8 squirrels that are the local gangbangers. They scatter my birdseed feeders and terrorize the chipmunks. They're bold and sassy, and they even tried to gnaw my porch. I keep reminding them what a tasty treat they are, but they ignore my protests. I need Smarty to kick some horse sense into them.

When you're from Penna, you know about Smarty. Last year, I was keeping an eye on Backtalk, a son of Smarty, who was doing so well I was really hoping for a big year. He reminded me of his daddy....and he was fast.

South America has produced some fine champions like Einstein and Invasor. In a few years, I hope we see a son of Smarty rise to rule the tracks north and south of the equator.

re: Roses For Smarty

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 22:20:55 GMT

Fran,

What a cute story! And don't worry we are going to see a great son of Alex and Smarty one day soon. Please give Alex that big ol' kiss from me when you go to Gainesway now! Thanks and have a great time in Kentucky!

re: Roses For Smarty

Karen — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:11:03 GMT

Smarty vs the Squirrel--that's my favorite part, but then I love the whole story. Thanks for the memories, Steve.

re: Roses For Smarty

Steve Haskin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:18:39 GMT

Doctorfager, I understand how you feel, but let me say that the Belmont recap, which will appear this evening as the finale, has a lot of fresh material added, as does the Derby story, and I feel this story is as much a tribute to Smarty and what he meant to people, and what Smarty Mania was all about, as it is a recap of the Belmont. In many ways it shows the greatness of Smarty as much as any of the other stories.

re: Roses For Smarty

Fran Loszynski — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:13:59 GMT

Day of the Derby at the Casino:

"So little girl, who are you picking to win the Derby?"

I looked at my racing form-"I like that Smarty!" Laugh from the old timers- "Naw, not him."

On my way out that day all I kept cheering was "That Smarty Jones!" I still see the same guys when I go there and they always ask me "Hey little girl-who ya playing!" Thanks Smarty Jones for making a racing fan soooo "smart"!

What a great article Steve, thank you. You always give racing fans great memories. And I always have a box of tissue nearby. Take Care Smarty, we love ya. I know I repeat it a thousand times but Smarty and Alex fans in Philly the day their two sons walked side by side in the Kentucky Derby Backtalk and Dublin AWESOME!!!

re: Roses For Smarty

Johnny — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:13:08 GMT

Great article as always.

I remember most is what a gift 4-1 was on Smarty. That was until Barbaro came along at 8-1.

Thanks for the memories Steve.

re: Roses For Smarty

Determinato — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:51:20 GMT

What a tremendously well written series, some writers can tell a story, yours makes you feel as if you were transported through time. I felt like I was right there on the track watching it all happen again! What a great story that deserves to be told again, and what a great and magical horse Smarty is. Congratulations Steve, and keep the great stories and great writing coming!

re: Roses For Smarty

doctorfager — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:48:59 GMT

Hard to believe no one commented on this very well written article on Smarty Jones' Kentucky Derby win. I'm a Philly guy, but was residing at the time in upstate Pa. My buddy told me about this horse from Philadelphia Park named Smarty Jones, I just dismissed it because nothing good seems to come out of Philly. Boy did I become a believer after Smarty won those races at Oaklawn. During the running of the Kentucky Derby, I was yelling so loud that I lost my voice. After Smarty crossed the finish line, I felt like I was the happiest man on the face of the earth. I went to see Smarty in Kentucky in 2005 which was a great thrill. I love Smarty Jones, as I'm sure many others do also. This little champion from philly Park will never be forgotten. Thank you Mr Haskins so very much for the articles written on Smarty Jones.