Earlier than the Aug. 1 induction ceremony for the 2025 class of the Nationwide Museum of Racing Corridor of Fame started Aug. 1 on the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion on the Fasig-Tipton gross sales grounds, a fan in a Philadelphia Flyers jersey within the crowd and a poster hanging from the balcony with the phrases “Smarty’s Get together” in Sometime Farm blue instructed the story of the day.
On this nice summer season morning in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Philadelphia sports activities hero Smarty Jones would be part of racing’s immortals.
Proprietor Pat Chapman, who campaigned Smarty Jones together with her husband Roy, smiled extensively as she accepted the award for the son of Elusive High quality who in 2004 grew to become the primary undefeated Kentucky Derby winner since Seattle Slew, received the Preakness Stakes by a then-record 11 ½ lengths, after which took his good document into the Belmont Stakes, the place he led into the stretch solely to be caught by Birdstone late.
As a Pennsylvania-bred who made his first two begins at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) somewhat than in New York, Kentucky, or California, Smarty Jones can be seen as a working-class runner within the Sport of Kings. He received these two juvenile begins by a mixed 22 ¾ lengths, forcing his method onto the Triple Crown path along with his appreciable expertise.
As soon as given that chance, Smarty Jones would roll to a stakes wins in New York after which three in Arkansas, topped by a transparent victory within the Arkansas Derby. The general public thrilled to each his abilities and charisma. The 120,139 followers who turned out for the 2004 Belmont Stakes remains to be the document crowd for that race.
Smarty Jones can be retired after the Belmont and whereas he was eligible for the Corridor of Fame in 2009, he didn’t make it previous the nominating committee and onto the poll till this yr. He can be the lone horse or particular person chosen for this yr’s class from the up to date class in a category of seven.
Chapman thanked followers for retaining curiosity in Smarty Jones going and particularly talked about the work of turf writers Dick Jerardi and former BloodHorse author Steve Haskin for capturing his story. Chapman’s husband died in 2006.
“Chappy will not be right here to take pleasure in this with us. He can be loving and cherishing each minute, however he’s right here in my coronary heart. He’s at all times right here in my coronary heart,” Pat Chapman stated. “I look across the room and I see the faces of so many Pennsylvania Thoroughbred horsemen, Pennsylvania breeders, Pennsylvania followers, and racing followers from different elements of the nation. You’ve all labored so arduous to maintain Smarty’s reminiscence alive, and properly, you’ve performed an incredible job. I thank each one among you.”
Whereas Smarty Jones spent the day at his present dwelling, Equistar Coaching and Breeding, close to Annville, Pa., the place he stands for $3,500, coach John Servis and jockey Stewart Elliott – the one rider for Smarty Jones in his 9 profession begins – each made the journey. Chapman yielded a few of her time to the coach and jockey.
Servis recalled Smarty Jones’ appreciable expertise however famous his reference to folks additionally was particular. That mixture would see Smarty Jones land on the quilt of Sports activities Illustrated with the headline, “Why All people Loves Smarty Jones,” and even be chosen by Time Journal on its checklist of most influential folks of 2004.
“Past his expertise, he had one thing extra particular – his reference to folks,” Servis stated. “He wasn’t only a racehorse; he was a hero. Whether or not it was his rags-to-riches story, his blue-collar roots, or the best way he fought each step of the best way, followers noticed themselves in him. He reminded us all of why we love this sport.”
Elliott stated he’ll always remember the sensation of Smarty Jones’ want to win whereas driving him.
“I felt how decided he was, how a lot coronary heart he had, and the way a lot he cherished to run,” Elliott stated. “He gave me his all in every race. I thank him for altering my profession and touching so many individuals’s hearts. It was the experience of a lifetime.”
Whereas Smarty Jones drew the gang, Pillar of the Turf Arthur Hancock III noticed the day’s lone standing ovation. That response doubtless had as a lot to do with Hancock’s lifetime dedication to the horse and the integrity of racing as a lot as his appreciable accomplishments as a breeder or proprietor of legendary horses resembling twin basic winners Sunday Silence and Risen Star, and Kentucky Derby winner Gato Del Sol, simply to call a couple of.
“To be honored as a Pillar of the Turf and comply with within the footsteps of my father (Arthur “Bull” Hancock Jr.) and grandfather (Arthur Hancock Sr.) is certainly a profound and humbling expertise,” Hancock stated. “I want to pay tribute to my father, Bull Hancock, for imparting my deep respect and admiration for the horse and the love of the sport.
“He at all times stated work arduous, be trustworthy, and keep in mind that you’ve got one status and as soon as it’s gone, it’s gone. I feel Thoroughbred racing can be clever to recollect these phrases.”
Sunday Silence grew to become a breed-shaping sire in Japan. Officers from the Japan Racing Affiliation thanked Hancock on the ceremony and introduced him with a picture of Sunday Silence. JRA president and CEO Masayoshi Yoshida stated Japan racing and breeding wouldn’t exist the best way it’s right now with out Sunday Silence.
Different Pillars of the Turf inducted Friday had been creator and longtime BloodHorse author and editor Ed Bowen in addition to Richard Ten Broeck, proprietor of Lexington.
Bowen additionally served in quite a few roles with the Corridor of Fame and offered management and fundraising expertise for the Grayson-Jockey Membership Analysis Basis.
“I feel he actually appreciated the sensation that he was contributing to the well-being of horses, subsequently, finally, contributing to the well-being of the game,” stated spouse Ruthie Bowen, who accepted the award on behalf of Ed, who handed away in January. Bowen authored greater than 20 books on horse racing. “He cherished writing articles however he actually cherished delving right into a guide and making an attempt to inform the entire story.”
Because the story goes, Ten Broeck was thrown out of West Level after a struggle with an teacher that might result in the problem of a duel that by no means materialized. He discovered his calling with horses within the late 19th century, campaigning standout Lexington – who would lead the final sires checklist 16 instances. He would race horses in England, the place Ten Broeck would change into a member of the English Jockey Membership. He additionally owned Metairie Race Course in New Orleans.
“I might have cherished to have recognized him. A part of the biography nonetheless has me laughing,” stated Shelley Ten Broeck in accepting the award. “Over time solely a handful of tales made their method down in our household. One factor is obvious: He left an enduring impression in horse racing. He helped form the game within the early days.
“I really feel a stunning sense of connection and I’ve discovered quite a bit about my household via this Corridor of Fame ceremony.”
Alfred Nuckols, a fifth era horseman, accepted the award on behalf of historic overview horse Decathlon, a two-time champion sprinter within the Fifties who was bred by the Nuckols Brothers. Nuckols, who recalled as a toddler hanging out with Canine Blessed, the dam of Decathlon, stated that earlier than Decathlon ever began in a race, he stepped on a nail and that wound grew to become contaminated. It led to a singular stride and his connections opted to dash him due to that.
“He’s actually an incredible horse worthy of his standing as champion and now as a member of the Nationwide Museum of Racing and Corridor of Fame,” Nuckols stated.
Different historic overview inductees included Hermis, a standout originally of the 20th century who was retrospectively chosen for a pair of Horse of the 12 months honors within the first 5 years of the 1900s by BloodHorse; and George Conway, coach of 1937 Triple Crown winner Conflict Admiral.
