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Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones at the 2004 Belmont Stakes
SireElusive Quality
GrandsireGone West
DamI'll Get Along
SexStallion
Foaled2001
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederSomeday Farm
OwnerRoy and Patricia Chapman
TrainerJohn Servis
Record9: 8-1-0
Earnings$7,613,155
Major wins
Count Fleet Stakes (2004)
Southwest Stakes (2004)
Rebel Stakes (2004)
Arkansas Derby (2004)
Triple Crown race wins:
Kentucky Derby (2004)
Preakness Stakes (2004)
Awards
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (2004)
Honors
Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Racing and Casino
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
(2025)

Smarty Jones (February 28, 2001) is a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and came second in the Belmont Stakes.[1]

Pedigree

[edit]

Smarty Jones is a third-generation descendant of Mr. Prospector, and as such Smarty Jones is related to many Triple Crown hopefuls including Funny Cide, Afleet Alex, and Fusaichi Pegasus. Also included in his pedigree are Triple Crown winners Secretariat, Count Fleet, War Admiral, Gallant Fox and Omaha, and Classic race winners Northern Dancer, Foolish Pleasure and Man o' War.

Early Ownership

[edit]

Smarty Jones is the product of Pat and Roy "Chappy" Chapman's winningest horse, the multiple-stakes-winning mare I'll Get Along, and the record-setting sprinter Elusive Quality. He was born in February 2001 at Fairthorne Farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His Dosage Index of 3.40 suggested that he might be capable of competing in the classics.[1]

He was named after Milly "Smarty Jones" McNair, the mother of co-owner Pat Chapman. The two shared a birthday, and Mrs. Chapman wanted to honor her late mother. She said the horse was a strong-willed actor from birth and her mother too was a bit of a smart aleck as a child who had gotten the nickname "Smarty."

Training

[edit]

The Chapmans originally hired Bobby Camac to train Smarty Jones, but in December 2001, Camac and his wife were murdered by Camac's stepson, Wade Russell, who was eventually convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison. "It was a total shock, numbing," Roy Chapman said. "We didn't know what to do next."

This tragedy, combined with Roy Chapman's failing health, resulted in the Chapmans' decision to disband their small breeding operation, retaining only Smarty Jones and another horse. By 2003, Chapman had sold the Someday Farm property and moved into a smaller home, training only four horses.

In 2002, Smarty Jones was sent to Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Florida, to prepare for racing.[2]

In 2003, the Chapmans selected John Servis as Smarty Jones' trainer. On July 27, 2003, Servis was schooling Smarty Jones at the starting gate when the colt spooked, reared, and smashed his head on the top of the gate. He fell to the ground unconscious, blood pouring from his nostrils. Servis thought the horse was dead, but Smarty Jones regained consciousness and was treated by Dr. Dan Hanf, who stopped the hemorrhaging and treated him for shock. After the bleeding stopped, the colt's head began to swell from the middle of his forehead over to his left eye. Dr. Hanf and assistant trainer Maureen Donnelly kept watch on the horse and kept him at the barn overnight. Hanf had seen the eye before the swelling and was confident the eye itself was not damaged but knew the horse must have sustained a fracture due to the excessive swelling.

The colt was sent the next day, July 28, 2003, to the New Jersey Equine Clinic for x-rays. There he was diagnosed with a fractured skull. The bones around his left eye were so badly damaged that the veterinarians thought they might have to remove the eye. Smarty Jones overcame his injuries after three weeks in the hospital and spent more than a month recuperating on the farm. Two of the other entrants in the 2004 Kentucky Derby lacked sight in one eye, and Smarty Jones could have been the third.[3]

Racing career

[edit]

2003: Two-Year-Old Season

[edit]

Servis led Smarty Jones back into training and by early November 2003, the colt had recovered completely and was ready to make his racing debut at nearby Philadelphia Park, now known as Parx Casino and Racing, a racetrack in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Canadian-born jockey Stewart Elliott was hired to ride Smarty Jones for the Bensalem race but took over a more permanent position when the horse began his winning streak. Elliot had won 3,300 races and was the son of jockey [3] Dennis Elliott.

Smarty Jones won the six-furlong (.75 mile)(1.21 km) race by 7+3⁄4 lengths.

Two weeks later, he won the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes by 15 lengths, earning the best speed figure of his generation and among the best of any Derby winner as a 2-year-old.

2004: Three-Year-Old Season

[edit]

Now racing as a three-year-old, Smarty Jones was given his first major test in the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City in January 2004. In the home stretch, the colt pulled away from the field to win by five (5) lengths.

In February, Smarty Jones was shipped to Oaklawn Park racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Now in earnest preparation for the Kentucky Derby, he won the Southwest Stakes in February, the Rebel Stakes in March, and the Arkansas Derby in April. In the Rebel Stakes, Smarty Jones earned the fastest Thorograph[4] number that had ever been given to a three-year-old.

2004 was the 100th anniversary of the Triple Crown race series.[5]

Kentucky Derby

[edit]

On a rainy May 1, 2004, Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby as the post-time favorite. He became the first unbeaten winner of the race since Seattle Slew in 1977. Servis and Elliott became the first trainer/jockey combination in 25 years to win the Kentucky Derby in their debut appearance. Smarty Jones won the race by 2+3⁄4 lengths, earning $854,800 for the Chapmans along with a bonus of $5 million from Oaklawn Park for sweeping the Rebel Stakes, the Arkansas Derby, and the Kentucky Derby. He also joined Lil E. Tee (1992 Derby winner) as the only Pennsylvania-bred horses to ever win the Kentucky Derby.

Preakness Stakes

[edit]

On May 15, 2004, Smarty Jones won the 2004 Preakness Stakes by a record margin of 11+1⁄2 lengths. He was the first odds-on favorite to win the second leg of the Triple Crown since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

After his Preakness victory, Smarty Jones' popularity increased massively. He became, arguably, the #1 fan favorite to aspire to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. He was the 10th horse since Affirmed to win both the Derby and the Preakness.[6] His popularity increased the attendance of the Belmont by 17,000 people and caused the highest television ratings in 14 years.[7] Breeders made offers for the breeding rights to the horse, going as high as 40 to 50 million dollars.

In the weeks between the Preakness and Belmont, many speculated against the stallion's distance abilities.[8] Although he ranked among the most brilliantly fast 2- and 3-year-olds of recent years, the 1+1⁄2-mile distance of the Belmont might prove too far for his miler/sprinter pedigree and running style.

Smarty Jones carried a record-high $59,000,000 betting pool for the Preakness Stakes, which doubled in amount during the Belmont Stakes.[9]

Belmont Stakes

[edit]

On June 5, 2004, Smarty Jones finished second in the Belmont Stakes, upset by a late charge by 36-1 long shot Birdstone. Unlike the Derby Preakness, Smarty Jones failed to relax and set a blistering pace on the front end. Birdstone, with a more distance-favoring pedigree, rallied from well off the pace. This was the first (and only) time in his career Smarty Jones was passed in a race.[1][10]

Speculation arose that the loss was a result of Elliott allowing Smarty Jones to assume the lead too early when being challenged by several competitors. Race video revealed that Elliott had a tight hold on the reins and did not urge Smarty Jones until the quarter pole. Neither Servis nor the Chapmans ever blamed the jockey.

Others pointed to Smarty Jones' relatively unfavorable 3.40 Dosage Index as being a portent of his inability to successfully negotiate the 1+1⁄2-mile Belmont distance (Birdstone's Dosage Index was 1.77; the lower the Dosage number, supposedly the better suited a horse is to longer races). Smarty Jones ran the opening mile and a quarter in a time that would have won all but three (3) Kentucky Derbys in history and was eight (8) lengths in front of the third-placed horse, Royal Assault. The 120,139 in attendance at Belmont Park that day marked the largest crowd ever to see a sporting event in New York.[11]

Career End

[edit]

The Belmont was Smarty Jones' only loss out of nine starts. The end of his racing career was announced on August 2, 2004, due to chronic bruising of his ankle bones. Smarty Jones finished his career with 8 wins and one place in nine starts, earning $2,613,155. He also earned a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park. His total earnings were $7,613,155.

Smarty Jones was voted the 2004 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Three-Year-Old Male Horse and was one of the top five (5) searched words/terms on Google for that year.

Quote by Smarty Jones' stable foreman, "Big Bill" Foster: "Number one in horse racing, you have to have the horse. Number two, you have to know what to do with the horse once you have him. A lot of people in this business have a lot of horses, and never made it because they broke them down. It happens a lot. Mismanaged. Mistrained. All because people want to be in the limelight. Which is where we're different. We don't want to be in the limelight.[12]"

Stud career

[edit]

Three Chimneys Farm

[edit]

Smarty Jones' breeding rights were sold to a group of investors for $60,000,000 and he entered stud in 2005. He stood at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Kentucky. At one point, he occupied the same stall that had previously housed Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.[13]

He initially stood for a fee of $100,000. In 2008, his stud fee was reduced to $65,000, then to $7,500 in 2010.

Calumet Farm

[edit]

For the 2016 breeding season, Smarty Jones was relocated to Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, after shipping to Uruguay for the Southern Hemisphere season.[14][15]

Equistar Farm

[edit]

In 2019, he was sold to Rodney Eckenrode's Equistar Farm near Annville, Pa. and has continued his breeding duties. His stud fee was announced at $3,500. He remains on active stud duty as of 2025.

Progeny

[edit]

Smarty Jones' first foals were born in 2006 and began racing in 2008. He has sired numerous graded stakes winners:

  • Backtalk - winner of the 2009 GIII Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs and GII Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse and a stallion at Bridlewood in Florida
  • Centralinteligence - winner of the 2013 GI Triple Bend Handicap (bred by Pat Chapman, breeder/owner of Smarty Jones)(Smarty Jones' first Grade 1 win as a sire)
  • Nasa - won the 2014 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes (the same race his sire won in 2003), for Someday Farm and Patricia Chapman
  • Better Life - Singapore Derby winning filly
  • Keiai Gerbera - Japanese record setter
  • Smart DNA - Panama Champion
  • Bamba y Bamba - Uruguayan Champion 2-year-old

Racing Legacy

[edit]

As of 2025, an early Kentucky Derby prep at Oaklawn named in his honor, the Smarty Jones Stakes.

A Labor Day race at Parx Racing and Casino was inaugurated in 2010 in his honor; the race was a replacement for the Pennsylvania Derby, which moved to the final Saturday in September. Parx has also embraced a "Smarty Jones Day" to honor the racer.

On August 1, 2025, Smarty Jones was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Race record

[edit]
Date Age Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning Time Winning
(Losing)
Margin 		Jockey Ref
Nov 9, 2003 2 6 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Maiden Philadelphia Park *1.10 10 1 1:11.19 7+3⁄4 lengths Stewart Elliott [16]
Nov 22, 2003 2 7 furlongs Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes Black Type Turf Paradise *0.70 11 1 1:21.88 15 lengths Stewart Elliott [17]
Jan 3, 2004 3 1 mile and 70 yards Count Fleet Stakes Listed Aqueduct *0.40 7 1 1:41.42 5 lengths Stewart Elliott [18]
Feb 28, 2004 3 1 Mile Southwest Stakes Listed Oaklawn Park *0.50 9 1 1:37.57 3⁄4 lengths Stewart Elliott [19]
Mar 20, 2004 3 1+1⁄16 miles Rebel Stakes Listed Oaklawn Park 3.50 9 1 1:42.07 3+1⁄4 lengths Stewart Elliott [20]
Apr 10, 2004 3 1+1⁄8 miles Arkansas Derby II Oaklawn Park *1.00 11 1 1:49.41 1+1⁄2 lengths Stewart Elliott [21]
May 1, 2004 3 1+1⁄4 miles Kentucky Derby I Churchill Downs *4.10 18 1 2:04.06 2+3⁄4 lengths Stewart Elliott [22]
May 15, 2004 3 1+3⁄16 miles Preakness Stakes I Pimlico *0.70 10 1 1:55.59 11+1⁄2 lengths Stewart Elliott [23]
Jun 5, 2004 3 1+1⁄2 miles Belmont Stakes I Belmont Park *0.35 9 2 2:27.50 (1 length) Stewart Elliott [24]

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Smarty Jones
Sire
Elusive Quality 		Gone West Mr. Prospector Raise a Native
Gold Digger
Secrettame Secretariat
Tamerett
Touch of Greatness Hero's Honor Northern Dancer
Glowing Tribute
Ivory Wand Sir Ivor
Natashka
Dam
I'll Get Along 		Smile In Reality Intentionally
My Dear Girl
Sunny Smile Boldnesian
Sunny Sal
Don't Worry Bout Me Foolish Pleasure What a Pleasure
Fool-Me-Knot
Stolen Base Herbager
Bases Full
[edit]

Smarty Jones is often referred to as "The People's Horse" or "America's Horse".

Smarty Jones appeared on the Mary 10, 2004, cover of Sports Illustrated.

A documentary, "The Ride of a Lifetime—The Smarty Jones Story",[25] was shown for the first time on September 20, 2024, at Parx Racing.

New Yorker and rapper Wiki released a single entitled "Smarty Jones" as part of the two-song release, "Fee Fi Fo Fum b/w Smarty Jones" on October 18, 2019.

See also

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Smarty Jones

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Smarty Jones (foaled February 28, 2001) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved national fame by winning the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes before finishing second in the Belmont Stakes, falling just short of the Triple Crown. Bred in by owners Roy and Patricia Chapman at their Someday Farm in Chester County, Smarty Jones was sired by Elusive Quality out of the mare I'll Get Along, tracing his lineage to influential sires like Secretariat and . After an initial trainer change due to a family tragedy, John Servis took over his preparation, with jockey Stewart Elliott riding him throughout his career. Smarty Jones began racing as a two-year-old in November 2003 at Park (now Parx Racing), securing victories in his first two starts by margins of seven and fifteen lengths, respectively. In 2004, as a three-year-old, Smarty Jones dominated the road to the Triple Crown, winning the Southwest Stakes, Rebel Stakes, and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park to earn a $5 million bonus from the track. He entered the undefeated in six starts—the first horse to do so in nearly three decades—and won by 2¾ lengths on May 1. Two weeks later, on May 15, he claimed the by a record 11½ lengths, solidifying his status as a fan favorite. However, in the on June 5, Smarty Jones surged to a narrow lead in the stretch but was overtaken in the final strides by Birdstone, ending his bid for racing immortality. Smarty Jones retired immediately after the Belmont at age three due to a bruised ankle, concluding his career with an impressive record of 8 wins, 1 second, and 0 thirds in 9 starts, amassing $7,613,155 in earnings including the Oaklawn bonus. His thrilling Triple Crown campaign captivated audiences, boosting interest in and inspiring a wave of media coverage. At stud, he initially stood at Three Chimneys Farm in , siring notable offspring; as of 2025, he is an active stallion residing at Equistar Training and Breeding Center in Annville, . In recognition of his accomplishments, Smarty Jones was elected to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in April 2025 and inducted on August 1, 2025, in , as part of a class that celebrated his enduring legacy.

Background

Pedigree

Smarty Jones was sired by Elusive Quality, a bay stallion foaled in 1993 and known for his speed-oriented influence as a miler who won the Jaipur Handicap (G3T) at seven furlongs and set a world record at one mile on turf in the Poker Handicap (G3T), both in 1998. Elusive Quality, himself by Gone West out of Touch of Greatness, traced his male line to the influential Mr. Prospector through Gone West, a leading sire who produced over 70 stakes winners, including Belmont Stakes (G1) victor Commendable. This sire line emphasized precocity and sprint-to-mile aptitude, with Elusive Quality siring 14 stakes winners from his first two crops at the time of Smarty Jones' conception. The , I'll Get Along, was a bay mare foaled in 1992 who won 12 races from 39 starts, earning $276,969, including victories in the William Parker Stakes and Alma North Handicap. Bred by William T. Young and purchased by owners and Chapman for $40,000 as a at the 1993 Keeneland September sale, she was by the champion sprinter out of Stolen Base. , a multiple Grade 1 winner at sprint distances, brought Northern Dancer influences through his pedigree, while the granddam Stolen Base, by Prince John, contributed deeper stamina elements, as evidenced by her daughter Basie's win in the 1¼-mile Handicap (G1). The breeding of Elusive Quality to I'll Get Along was recommended by trainer Robert Camac, who had conditioned the dam to her victories and sought to blend the sire's explosive speed with the mare's proven versatility and underlying stamina from lines like La Troienne in the seventh generation. This cross resulted in a of 3.40 for Smarty Jones, indicating a balanced profile suitable for classic distances rather than pure sprinting, though the pedigree leaned toward speed influences typical of modern American Thoroughbreds. Broader ancestral ties included Mr. Prospector's prolific impact on the sire side and Northern Dancer's enduring presence, enhancing the foal's potential for high-level competition.

Early Ownership

Smarty Jones was foaled on February 28, 2001, at Someday Farm, a 100-acre property in , owned by and Patricia Chapman. The Chapmans, who had entered breeding in the late 1990s, established Someday Farm as their base for raising horses, with Chapman serving as the primary decision-maker in their racing and breeding operations. , a prominent Philadelphia-area businessman, built his fortune through the Chapman Auto Group, which operated multiple car dealerships and allowed the couple to invest in as a passion project. The acquired Smarty Jones' , I'll Get Along, as a yearling for $40,000 at the September sale in 1993, on the recommendation of their trainer, Robert Camac, who spotted her potential as a broodmare prospect despite her modest pedigree. I'll Get Along, a daughter of the sprint champion , went on to win 12 races and earn over $276,000 before being bred to the promising young stallion Elusive Quality in 2000, resulting in Smarty Jones. This acquisition reflected the ' strategy of targeting affordable, athletic mares with speed-oriented bloodlines to build their small-scale breeding program at Someday Farm. Originally named "Get Along" in homage to his dam, the colt was renamed Smarty Jones by Patricia Chapman to honor her late mother, Mildred "Smarty" Jones McNair, who shared the same February 28 birthday and had been affectionately nicknamed "Smarty" by her family during her childhood in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This personal connection underscored the Chapmans' sentimental approach to their horses, with Patricia playing a key role in naming and daily care at the farm. Early oversight of Smarty Jones fell to Robert Camac, who trained I'll Get Along and identified the foal's precocity shortly after birth, though Camac's tragic murder in late 2001 shifted training responsibilities to John Servis. Following Smarty Jones' victory in the 2004 Kentucky Derby, the Chapmans formed Smarty Jones LLC, syndicating the breeding rights into 60 shares total, with the Chapmans retaining 30 shares (50%); Three Chimneys Farm acquiring 10 shares and selling the remaining 20 shares to investors at $650,000 each, in a deal valued at approximately $40 million, which included retained Chapmans' ongoing involvement in his career. This syndication, completed in June 2004, marked a significant financial milestone for the initial ownership structure, transforming the Pennsylvania-bred colt into a high-value asset while preserving family control over key decisions.

Training Career

Smarty Jones was initially broken for racing at Bridlewood Farm in , after being foaled at the Chapmans' Someday Farm in on February 28, 2001. The Chapmans, who bred and owned the colt, oversaw his early development there, where he showed early promise despite a setback in late 2002 when he began breezing. Following the breaking process, Smarty Jones returned to and entered the barn of trainer John Servis in 2003. John Servis, a Philadelphia-based trainer with prior success including the Grade 1-winning filly Jostle, was selected by the Chapmans to handle Smarty Jones' preparation. Servis emphasized gate schooling to ensure the colt's readiness for starts, though this led to a serious incident on July 27, 2003, when Smarty Jones reared up during training at Philadelphia Park, fracturing his skull and requiring several months of recovery. Once cleared, Servis focused on speed-oriented workouts at Philadelphia Park, taking advantage of the track's quieter mornings to conduct undisturbed sessions that highlighted the colt's exceptional quickness. These efforts were tailored to Smarty Jones' rambunctious personality, allowing the high-energy colt to channel his natural vigor effectively. Jockey Stewart Elliott, a veteran rider with extensive experience at regional tracks like Philadelphia Park (formerly Keystone) since 1981, was paired with Smarty Jones in late 2003 ahead of his debut. Elliott, known for his success in smaller circuits with over 3,300 career wins, provided a steady partnership suited to the colt's , riding him exclusively from the start. Servis' overall approach prioritized adapting to Smarty Jones' spirited nature while building his conditioning through consistent, controlled exercises at Philadelphia Park, supported by the Chapmans' commitment to local facilities.

Racing Career

2003: Two-Year-Old Season

Smarty Jones made his racing debut on November 9, 2003, at Philadelphia Park in a six-furlong maiden special weight race for two-year-olds. Ridden by Stewart Elliott and trained by John Servis, the colt broke alertly from the and set a measured pace before drawing off in the stretch to win by 7¾ lengths in a time of 1:11.20, showcasing his natural speed and professionalism in his first outing. This victory earned $18,000 and marked a promising start for the Pennsylvania-bred colt, who had recovered from earlier training setbacks to enter competition late in the year. Just two weeks later, on November 22, 2003, Smarty Jones returned to Philadelphia Park for the $60,000 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes, a black-type event restricted to Pennsylvania-bred juveniles over seven furlongs. Breaking sharply under Elliott, he dictated a comfortable early pace and accelerated decisively on the turn, pulling away to a dominant 15-length in 1:21.88 while earning a career-best of 105. The margin of victory highlighted his superiority over regional rivals, and the performance—completed just 0.2 seconds off the track record—solidified his status as an emerging talent on the East Coast juvenile circuit. The win netted $36,000, bringing immediate attention to the unassuming operation behind him. In his brief two-year-old campaign, Smarty Jones remained undefeated with two starts and two wins, accumulating earnings of $49,620 while demonstrating explosive closing kick and tactical versatility that hinted at greater potential. These regional triumphs at Philadelphia Park established him as one of the top Pennsylvania-bred juveniles of , setting the stage for a national breakout the following year.

2004: Three-Year-Old Season

Entering his three-year-old season with strong momentum from an undefeated juvenile campaign, Smarty Jones quickly established himself as a leading contender for the classics under trainer John Servis and jockey Stewart Elliott. Smarty Jones began his sophomore campaign on January 3, 2004, in the Count Fleet Stakes at , a one-mile and 70-yards test over the inner track. He rallied from off the pace to win by five lengths in 1:37.40, earning $30,000 and confirming his ability to handle two turns for the first time. Returning to Oaklawn Park, Smarty Jones won the listed Southwest Stakes on February 28, 2004, over one mile, rallying to a three-quarter length victory over Suave, covering the distance in 1:38.35 and earning $60,000 in his first start on a fast dirt surface at the Hot Springs track. On March 20, 2004, he followed up in the listed Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn, again at one mile and 70 yards, where he dueled for the lead before drawing off to a 3¼-length win over in 1:42.07, securing $120,000 and boosting his profile as a contender. On April 10, 2004, Smarty Jones won the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park by 1 1/2 lengths over Borrego, covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.60 on a muddy track and earning $600,000. This victory, part of Oaklawn's Racing Festival of the South series, secured a $5 million bonus for sweeping the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby, and upcoming . Smarty Jones continued his dominance in the Triple Crown series, becoming the first wire-to-wire winner of the since Bold Forbes in 1976. On May 1, 2004, at , he led from the start on a sloppy track, drawing off to win the 130th running by 2 3/4 lengths over Lion Heart in a time of 2:04.06, collecting $854,800 plus the $5 million bonus for a total payout of $5,884,800 from the $6 million purse. Two weeks later, on May 15, , Smarty Jones captured the 129th at by a record 11 1/2 lengths over Rock Hard Ten, the largest margin in the race's history, completing 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.39 and earning $650,000 to complete the first two legs of the Triple Crown. The bid for immortality fell short in the on June 5, , at , where Smarty Jones set the pace for the 1 1/2-mile Test of the Champion but tired late, finishing second by a to 36-1 longshot Birdstone after a time of 2:27.50, earning $200,000 in the $1 million event before a record crowd of 120,139. Following the Belmont, Smarty Jones trained lightly with plans for further races, but on , 2004, owners and Patricia Chapman announced his immediate to stud due to chronic bone bruising in all four joints, a cumulative injury from his intense campaign that posed significant risk if he continued racing. At , the Pennsylvania-bred colt held an 8-for-9 record with of $7,613,155, ranking him among the top earners of his generation.

Retirement and Stud Career

Initial Syndication and Three Chimneys Farm

Following his prompted by bone bruises in all four cannon bones from his racing campaign, Smarty Jones was syndicated for a total valuation of $39 million, divided into 60 shares priced at $650,000 each, with owners and Chapman retaining 30 shares and Three Chimneys Farm syndicating the remaining 30. Smarty Jones arrived at Three Chimneys Farm in , on August 16, 2004, where he was installed in the former stall of the legendary Triple Crown winner . His initial stud fee was set at $100,000 for the 2005 breeding season, reflecting high expectations for the and Preakness winner's potential as a . In his debut at stud, Smarty Jones covered 111 mares during the 2005 season, limited by agreement to no more than 110 bookings plus one nomination. Early veterinary checks indicated strong , with six of the first seven mares examined in , and overall results yielded 91 confirmed pregnancies from those covers. His first foals arrived in 2006, producing a crop of 84 registered offspring that marked the largest of his career to that point. At Three Chimneys, Smarty Jones stood alongside prominent stallions such as Dynaformer, whose turf influence complemented Smarty's speed-oriented pedigree from classic distances. The farm emphasized careful mare selection, prioritizing those with stamina and class to match Smarty Jones' proven aptitude for races like the 1¼-mile , aiming to produce versatile runners capable of excelling at middle distances.

Moves to Calumet and Equistar Farms

After standing at Three Chimneys through the 2010 breeding season, Smarty Jones was relocated to Ghost Ridge Farm near York, Pennsylvania, for the 2011 season before moving to Northview Stallion Station in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, where he stood from 2012 through 2015. In 2015, Smarty Jones relocated from Northview Stallion Station in Pennsylvania to Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, as decided by his owners at Someday Farm, who sought to return the Kentucky Derby champion to the heart of Thoroughbred breeding country after years of standing in more regional venues. This move followed a period of marginal success in his stud career, with his advertised fee rising from $4,000 at Northview to $7,500 at Calumet for the 2016 season, reflecting an effort to attract a broader base of mares in Kentucky while capitalizing on his legacy as a dual classic winner. At Calumet, Smarty Jones benefited from the farm's historic prestige, sharing grounds with other Derby winners, and maintained a steady workload that supported his ongoing viability as a regional sire despite earlier high expectations. The economic pressures of his progeny not achieving the anticipated commercial impact—contrasting sharply with his initial 2004 syndication valued at $39 million—contributed to these transitions, as repeated fee reductions from an opening $100,000 at Three Chimneys Farm underscored the challenges in sustaining high demand. By 2018, after three seasons at Calumet, interest from breeders had waned, prompting another relocation. In 2019, Smarty Jones was sold to Rodney Eckenrode and moved to Equistar Farm near Annville, , a smaller, family-operated facility focused on regional breeding, where his fee was set at $3,500 to align with local mare owners and incentives. This shift emphasized cost efficiency and proximity to his birth state, allowing for targeted marketing to -based operations amid broader declines in his stud value. As of 2025, at age 24, Smarty Jones continues to reside comfortably at Equistar, receiving routine veterinary care and enjoying visits that highlight his enduring , though his breeding activity has naturally diminished with age. The farm's emphasis on local mares has provided a , low-overhead environment suited to his later years, with economic decisions driven by the realities of underperforming offspring earnings relative to his racing fame. These relocations illustrate the adaptive strategies employed to manage a stallion's career trajectory in the face of market dynamics and performance outcomes.

Notable Progeny

Smarty Jones has sired 32 stakes winners, including 12 graded stakes winners, from his crops foaled between 2007 and 2016, though his overall success as a has been considered modest compared to expectations for a winner. His progeny have often excelled at sprint and middle distances on dirt, inheriting his speed-oriented traits from the Elusive Quality male line. The stallion's crop of 2007 produced several stakes performers, highlighted by Backtalk, a chestnut colt out of Apasionata Sonata who won the G3 Bashford Manor Stakes at and the G2 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga as a juvenile in 2009. Backtalk went on to finish third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and competed in the 2010 , earning over $400,000. Among later standout offspring, Rogue Romance (2008, out of Lovington) captured the G2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct in 2010 as a juvenile, showcasing stamina over 1 1/8 miles before placing in the G1 Wood Memorial the following year. Centralinteligence (2010, out of ) won the G2 Stakes at Saratoga in 2013, demonstrating front-running ability in a seven-furlong sprint, and later placed in the G1 Met Mile. Gilded Gem (2008, out of a Forest Wildcat mare) secured the G3 Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita in 2011, closing strongly to win by three-quarters of a length against older fillies and earning $223,800 lifetime. Subsequent crops after 2015 yielded fewer elite performers, with production shifting toward regional stakes winners and placings rather than top-level graded success, reflecting a gradual decline in commercial demand and breeding numbers for the . Despite this, Smarty Jones' influence persists in speed-influenced bloodlines, contributing to the diversity of mid-Atlantic and regional racing circuits.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Racing Achievements and Records

Smarty Jones compiled an impressive career record of 8 wins, 1 second, and no thirds in 9 starts, amassing total earnings of $7,613,155, which included a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park for sweeping their prep races. His remarkable consistency was highlighted by remaining undefeated through his first 6 starts, a streak that carried him into the 2004 as the favorite. In recognition of his dominance, Smarty Jones received the 2004 Eclipse Award as the outstanding three-year-old male horse, honoring his victories in the and . He was also rated at 128 pounds on the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for 2004, the highest among three-year-olds that year. Smarty Jones' achievements earned him induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2025, the sole contemporary horse selected that year, with the ceremony held on August 1 in . Often compared to other near-miss Triple Crown contenders like Silver Charm, whose 1997 Belmont defeat similarly dashed hopes, Smarty Jones is remembered for his electric 2004 campaign that captivated fans nationwide.

Influence on Thoroughbred Breeding

Smarty Jones' success as a and Preakness winner significantly elevated the profile of his sire, Elusive Quality, a stallion previously known for producing speed-oriented runners in the mid-tier market. As the second crop representative of Elusive Quality, Smarty Jones demonstrated that this speed line could excel in classic distances, encouraging breeders to pursue similar pedigrees for Derby contenders without relying solely on high-end blueblood lines. This shift influenced breeding strategies toward balancing precocity with stamina in regional programs, particularly for horses targeting U.S. classic races. Economically, Smarty Jones' syndication established a high-water mark for injury-retired classic winners, with his initial shares valued at approximately $39 million and a debut stud fee of $100,000 at Three Chimneys Farm in 2004. However, subsequent fee reductions—to $7,500 by 2014 and $4,000 in 2015—underscored the risks associated with stars retiring prematurely due to injury, prompting stallion managers to adopt more cautious valuation models for similar profiles. In the industry, Smarty Jones revitalized Pennsylvania's breeding sector by inspiring small-scale operations and increasing state incentives for local programs, effectively credited with sustaining the Commonwealth's racing ecosystem during a period of decline. His dramatic injury and subsequent retirement also fueled broader conversations on equine health protocols for Triple Crown pursuits, leading to enhanced veterinary standards in high-stakes racing. As of 2025, Smarty Jones has achieved moderate success as a , with 32 stakes winners to his credit, maintaining relevance in Pennsylvania's regional circuits despite earlier fee declines. His progeny, such as graded stakes winner Lady Smarty, have reinforced interest in his lines for speed-influenced runners suited to mid-level competitions. Smarty Jones' pursuit of the 2004 Triple Crown captured widespread media attention, drawing a record 21.9 million television viewers to NBC's broadcast of the , the highest audience for the event since 1991. His victory earned him a cover feature in , marking the first time a appeared on the magazine's front in the and highlighting his role in revitalizing public interest in racing. further amplified his story with the 2004 documentary Smarty Jones: America's Horse, a half-hour special that chronicled his career and earned an for outstanding achievement in news or information. The horse's fame spurred a range of merchandise and commemorative events, including official 2004 Kentucky Derby mint julep glasses featuring his image as the winner, which became popular collectibles among fans. Books such as Smarty Jones: Forever A Champion by , the authorized based on interviews with his connections, captured his underdog narrative and sold widely during his peak popularity. At his home track, now known as Parx Racing, a bronze sculpture of Smarty Jones was installed in the Parx Hall of Fame to honor his contributions to racing. Smarty Jones inspired cultural tributes, including the song "The Legend of Smarty Jones," written and recorded by former Philadelphia Park jockeys Rocco Gabriella and Bobby Martel in 2004, which celebrated his local roots and Triple Crown bid through blues-inspired lyrics. His stardom also drove a surge in East Coast racing attendance, shattering records at Philadelphia Park with crowds such as nearly 20,000 fans for the and over 8,500 for a workout before the Belmont. In retirement, Smarty Jones remained a draw at events tied to the Chapman family, including public appearances at Equistar Training Center following his 2025 induction into the National Racing Hall of Fame, where co-owner Pat Chapman accepted the honor on his behalf. His legacy saw renewed interest on in the 2020s, with an active page sharing breeding updates and fan interactions, alongside viral reels commemorating his career milestones.

Race Record and Pedigree Diagram

Race Record

Smarty Jones raced 9 times between 2003 and 2004, recording 8 wins and 1 second-place finish, with total earnings of $7,613,155 (including a $5 million Oaklawn bonus).
DateTrackRaceDistanceFinishMarginEarnings
Nov 9, 2003Parx RacingMaiden Special Weight6 furlongs1st7¾ lengths$21,180
Nov 30, 2003Parx Racing Nursery Stakes7 furlongs1st15 lengths$45,000
Jan 1, 2004Oaklawn Park Stakes6 furlongs1st3 lengths$36,000
Feb 28, 2004Oaklawn ParkSouthwest Stakes1⅛ miles1st5½ lengths$60,000
Mar 20, 2004Oaklawn ParkRebel Stakes1⅛ miles1st3 lengths$90,000
Apr 10, 2004Oaklawn ParkArkansas Derby (G2)1¼ miles1st2½ lengths$300,000
May 1, 2004Kentucky Derby (G1)1¼ miles1st1¾ lengths$854,800
May 15, 2004 (G1)1³⁄₁₆ miles1st11½ lengths$650,000
Jun 5, 2004 (G1)1½ miles2ndneck$200,000

Pedigree

Smarty Jones was bred in Pennsylvania and traces lineage to influential sires including Secretariat and Man o' War. Below is a simplified pedigree diagram up to the third generation.

Gone West Secrettame | | Elusive Quality (by Secretariat) | | SMAR TY JONES | | Smile Don't Worry Bout Me | | I'll Get Along (by Foolish Pleasure)

Gone West Secrettame | | Elusive Quality (by Secretariat) | | SMAR TY JONES | | Smile Don't Worry Bout Me | | I'll Get Along (by Foolish Pleasure)

Detailed third-generation sires and dams:
  • Sire line (Elusive Quality): Gone West (by Mr. Prospector), Secrettame (by Secretariat out of Tamerett).
  • Dam line (I'll Get Along): Smile (by In Reality out of Sunny Smile), Don't Worry Bout Me (by Foolish Pleasure out of Stolen Base).

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