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Smarty Jones Wins the
Preakness Stakes
by Emily Hufford
Kentucky Derby hero Smarty Jones, the darling of the American public, won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico to make his bid to be the next Triple Crown champion. Ridden by jockey Stewart Elliot and trained by John Servis, the tiny chestnut colt made a bold move on the inside of Lion Heart to take the lead at the top of the stretch. All the way to the wire Smarty Jones drew away, finishing well ahead of the closing Rock Hard Ten and Eddington, who finished second and third.
Smarty Jones now becomes the sixth horse in the past eight years to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown, following Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic, War Emblem, and Funny Cide, none of whom managed to win the Belmont Stakes, although Silver Charm (2nd by 3/4 of a length) and Real Quiet (2nd by a nose) were very close.
Lion Heart held on for fourth and Imperialism ran on for fifth. The popular Borrego lost a shoe near the finish.
Rock Hard Ten caused a stir at the starting gate, refusing to load for several minutes. The extremely talented dark bay colt kicked and fussed before gate attendents were able to load him without jockey Gary Stevens on his back. Stevens rejoined the colt in the gate. Smarty Jones, known to be a handful, loaded without disruption.
Smarty Jones, a son of Elusive Quality, is owned by the Chapmans of Someday Farm. He will now head back home to Philadelphia Park before shipping to New York for the June 5th Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Should he win, Smarty Jones would be the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-six years and only the second undefeated Triple Crown winner ever, following Seattle Slew in 1977. Currently, Smarty Jones is only the third horse in history to be undefeated after both the Derby and the Preakness. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.
 Smarty Jones Heading Into the Gate
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Preakness
Second Place Finisher Rock Hard Ten
Third Place Finisher Eddington
Smarty Jones After the Race
For undercard coverage, click here
Pimlico Report, 5/12
Pimlico Report, 5/13
Pimlico Report, 5/14
Pimlico Special/Black Eyed Susan Stakes
