BENSALEM, Pa. -- Smarty Jones, who will attempt to become the sport's 12th Triple Crown winner in the Belmont Stakes on June 5, completed his serious training for that race with a seven-furlong workout early Friday morning at Philadelphia Park.
Smarty Jones had his final Belmont Stakes workout under Stewart Elliot on Friday morning.
Smarty Jones was given an official time of 1:29.20, but he appeared to go a bit faster. The fractions reported were 26.60 seconds, 39.20, 51.20, 1:03.20, and 1:16.20. Clockers reported him galloping out one mile in 1:44.40.
The first quarter mile was slow, but did not appear to be that slow. And the interior fractions of the succeeding furlongs are more realistic, revealing that Smarty Jones was clicking off 12-second furlongs in the middle of the work.
Smarty Jones came out on the track at 5:40 a.m. with his regular jockey, Stewart Elliott. The colt was accompanied by a pony, who was ridden by exercise rider Pete Van Trump. John Servis, who has trained Smarty Jones to eight straight victories, including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, watched the work from a spot on the outside rail near the three-furlong pole, not far from his barn.
The track was closed except for Smarty Jones. After entering at the quarter-mile chute, Smarty Jones walked the wrong way to the five-furlong pole. After turning around, Smarty Jones jogged with the pony while appearing eager to do more.
Van Trump finally let Smarty Jones loose from the pony just after passing the finish line. Smarty Jones was on his own just before reaching the 7 1/2-furlong pole. He was clocked from the seven-furlong pole to the wire. He began his work about five paths from the rail, but was in the two path when he turned into the stretch.
Smarty Jones is expected to be sent by van to Belmont Park either Tuesday night or Wednesday of next week.
http://espn.go.com/horse/triplecrown04/s/2004/0528/1811358.html
Smarty Jones had his final Belmont Stakes workout under Stewart Elliot on Friday morning.
Smarty Jones was given an official time of 1:29.20, but he appeared to go a bit faster. The fractions reported were 26.60 seconds, 39.20, 51.20, 1:03.20, and 1:16.20. Clockers reported him galloping out one mile in 1:44.40.
The first quarter mile was slow, but did not appear to be that slow. And the interior fractions of the succeeding furlongs are more realistic, revealing that Smarty Jones was clicking off 12-second furlongs in the middle of the work.
Smarty Jones came out on the track at 5:40 a.m. with his regular jockey, Stewart Elliott. The colt was accompanied by a pony, who was ridden by exercise rider Pete Van Trump. John Servis, who has trained Smarty Jones to eight straight victories, including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, watched the work from a spot on the outside rail near the three-furlong pole, not far from his barn.
The track was closed except for Smarty Jones. After entering at the quarter-mile chute, Smarty Jones walked the wrong way to the five-furlong pole. After turning around, Smarty Jones jogged with the pony while appearing eager to do more.
Van Trump finally let Smarty Jones loose from the pony just after passing the finish line. Smarty Jones was on his own just before reaching the 7 1/2-furlong pole. He was clocked from the seven-furlong pole to the wire. He began his work about five paths from the rail, but was in the two path when he turned into the stretch.
Smarty Jones is expected to be sent by van to Belmont Park either Tuesday night or Wednesday of next week.
http://espn.go.com/horse/triplecrown04/s/2004/0528/1811358.html
