BackTrack: Smarty Jones Accelerates in Arkansas Derby

Six weeks before the Kentucky Derby (G1), one would have thought jockey agents from every area code would had had John Servis' phone number on speed dial.

But even with a Pennsylvania Porsche parked in his barn, aka Smarty Jones, Servis said there really weren't a lot of people asking for the keys.

Then again, Servis wasn't looking for a new driver, either.

"I don't know, to be very honest with you, if it's a lack of respect as much as it is a lot of these agents know me, and know the relationship that Stew and I have," Servis said on the eve of the $200,000 Rebel Stakes March 20. "They probably figured it would be a wasted call. Now, still you think they would make the call."

"Stew" is Stewart Elliott, who, while a fixture at Philadelphia Park, doesn't possess the name recognition nationally like a Bailey, Day, or Velazquez.

But Elliott is going to the Kentucky Derby, too. And as the regular rider of the possible favorite.

Someday Farm's Smarty Jones will be the center of attention—more than just at the mutuel windows—on the heels of his 1 1/2-length victory over Borrego in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G2) April 10.

Not only is the son of Elusive Quality trying to become the first undefeated Kentucky Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977, Smarty Jones (six-for-six) is chasing the biggest payday in racing history, approximately $5.8 million, because of Charles Cella's centennial bonus.

Cella, Oaklawn's cigar-wielding president, announced last fall he would offer $5 million for a sweep of the track's Rebel and Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby on May 1.

"Today, to me, this was the pressure race," said Servis, who was unaware of the bonus when he was mapping out Smarty Jones' future schedule late last fall. "If he didn't run good today, he wasn't going to go. This was the pressure-cooker today."

The heat was indeed on the even-money favorite for the richest race in Oaklawn's history.

Smarty Jones was asked to carry his speed 1 1/8 miles, break from the extreme outside post (11), and race over an off track for the first time.

The main competition figured to come from Borrego, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (G2), and Purge, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Smarty Jones in the Rebel.

But nothing could crash Smarty's party in the Arkansas Derby.

"I think it's a tribute to Stewart and that horse," said Roy Chapman, 76, a retired automobile dealer from New Hope, Pa., who co-owns the homebred colt out of the Smile mare I'll Get Along with his wife, Patricia. "A muddy track and not one drop of mud on (Elliott). I still can't believe the way he finished that race."

The crowd of 62,254 roared with approval when track announcer Terry Wallace screamed that Smarty Jones turned for home with a clear lead.

The margin grew to three lengths in mid-stretch and four left-handed cracks of Elliott's stick left no doubt about the outcome.

Tactically, the race unfolded like the Rebel as Smarty Jones used his natural early foot to secure a perfect position off Purge's flank early, and then moved to the lead on the outside approaching the three-eighths pole.

"I had a hold of him and it was just a question of seeing what we wanted to do before I ended up in the parking lot," Elliott said in reference to possibly getting caught wide. "I let him get running just a little bit, and then Purge went on a little bit and I just followed him into the turn and it set up good from there."

Purge, who was racing without blinkers for the first time, cut out a strong early pace of :22.64 and :46.95. But he couldn't match strides with Smarty Jones after surrendering the lead.

"Early on, I kind of thought nobody wanted to be in front for about the first eighth of a mile," Servis said. "I was afraid we were going to end up there and I didn't want to be there. But when I saw Purge go on, I said, 'All right, this is going to be good.' I was surprised how fast they were running. But, yeah, it kind of set up the way I thought."

Carrying equal top weight of 122 pounds, Smarty Jones completed the trip in 1:49.41, getting his final eighth in :12.54.

"I just can't tell you how it feels," said Roy Chapman, who missed the Rebel because of complications from his daily battle with emphysema. "Unbelievable to see the way that horse ran today. And the team we have behind him. Geez, it makes me happy."

Borrego, the 3-1 second choice, moved past a tiring Purge in the upper stretch and closed well to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Pro Prado.

Trainer Beau Greely was delighted with Borrego and said he would be pointed for the Derby. Pro Prado will also run, if he has enough graded stakes earnings.

Harvard Avenue, Purge, Mambo Train, Shadowland, Every Advantage, Mr. Jester, Tricky Taboo, and Hasslefree completed the order of finish.

The victory was the first in a $1-million race for Elliott and Servis, a Philadelphia Park regular who brought Smarty Jones to Oaklawn in early January specifically for the track's series of 3-year-old stakes races.

Now, they're going to the Kentucky Derby for the first time with the Pennsylvania Porsche, a career winner of $878,355 in tow.

"Stew and I have a special relationship," Servis said. "He's ridden for me, gosh, for more than a decade. But it's more than a trainer/jockey relationship. We hunt together and fish together. He's a close friend."