"He's training like a machine," trainer John Servis said Friday after Smarty Jones jogged around the track at Belmont Park. "I don't see him having any problem with a mile-and-a-half. He's ready. He knows it's coming close. He realizes it's time to dance."
Belmont Stakes favorite Smarty Jones, left, with exercise rider Pete Van Trump aboard, runs with trainer John Servis atop stablemate Butterscotch at Belmont Race Track in Elmont, NY on Friday.
wil.
Belmont Stakes favorite Smarty Jones, left, with exercise rider Pete Van Trump aboard, runs with trainer John Servis atop stablemate Butterscotch at Belmont Race Track in Elmont, NY on Friday.
wil.
I hear Hollywood Park is giving out 10,000 $2 win tickets on Smarty, and with all the souvenir $2 tickets being bought all over North America, 1-5 is a given.
I'm just going to place a small wager on a RHT-Smarty exacta. Maybe the Rock can get his shit together at the gate (they might use a blindfold to get him in) and with that last race under his belt, improve big time. Apparently this horse is the Bo Jackson of this year's 3 year old crop and just hasn't raced enough to show what he can really do.
Smarty's Beyers aren't that much different than Funny Cide's last year. This ain't Secretariat we're talking about.
I'm just going to place a small wager on a RHT-Smarty exacta. Maybe the Rock can get his shit together at the gate (they might use a blindfold to get him in) and with that last race under his belt, improve big time. Apparently this horse is the Bo Jackson of this year's 3 year old crop and just hasn't raced enough to show what he can really do.
Smarty's Beyers aren't that much different than Funny Cide's last year. This ain't Secretariat we're talking about.
I know nothing of Horse racing, however I am considering these wagers going against SMARTY JONES:
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones be beaten by 3½ lengths or more?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 121 Yes +420 Risk To Win
122 No -460 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 3 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 107 Yes -136 Risk To Win
108 No +126 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 4 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 109 Yes -102 Risk To Win
110 No -108 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones be beaten by 3½ lengths or more?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 121 Yes +420 Risk To Win
122 No -460 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 3 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 107 Yes -136 Risk To Win
108 No +126 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 4 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 109 Yes -102 Risk To Win
110 No -108 Risk To Win
It will not be a minus Show pool at the Belmont. Im pretty sure of that. There is too much total in the pools to have a few $100,000 show wagers push it to a minus pool.
He will pay $2.10 to show and the others with him might not pay more than $2.10 or $2.20 but not an overall minus show pool and no chance to cash some $75.00 show tickets if he finishes 4th. Just do not see it.
He will pay $2.10 to show and the others with him might not pay more than $2.10 or $2.20 but not an overall minus show pool and no chance to cash some $75.00 show tickets if he finishes 4th. Just do not see it.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wilheim:
Gotta disagree Fish - this race tomorrow is huge for the sport. The general public has taken to this horse, not just average horse palyers. A win by Smarty Jones at the Belmont and people will be talking about him for decades.
wil.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I was in Philly for a wedding during the Preakness and all folks could talk about during the cocktail hour before the reception was Smarty Jones. I know he is a Philly bred horse but it was strange to be at such an event and hear EVERYONE talk about horse racing, betting (exactas and tris), and triple crowns.
After the wedding party was introduced, the MC then proceeded to announce that Smarty Jones won the race AND the Flyers won their game. Pretty crazy....I wanted to ask the score of the Yankees game then I realized that wouldn't such be a good idea if I liked living.
Gotta disagree Fish - this race tomorrow is huge for the sport. The general public has taken to this horse, not just average horse palyers. A win by Smarty Jones at the Belmont and people will be talking about him for decades.
wil.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I was in Philly for a wedding during the Preakness and all folks could talk about during the cocktail hour before the reception was Smarty Jones. I know he is a Philly bred horse but it was strange to be at such an event and hear EVERYONE talk about horse racing, betting (exactas and tris), and triple crowns.
After the wedding party was introduced, the MC then proceeded to announce that Smarty Jones won the race AND the Flyers won their game. Pretty crazy....I wanted to ask the score of the Yankees game then I realized that wouldn't such be a good idea if I liked living.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SportSavant:
I know nothing of Horse racing, however I am considering these wagers going against SMARTY JONES:
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones be beaten by 3½ lengths or more?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 121 Yes +420 Risk To Win
122 No -460 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 3 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 107 Yes -136 Risk To Win
108 No +126 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 4 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 109 Yes -102 Risk To Win
110 No -108 Risk To Win<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't know much about horse betting, but who determines how many lengths a horse "officially" wins or loses by?
What if Smarty is beaten by 3.3 lengths, or 3.25 lengths? Not really 3 lengths, not really 3.5 lengths.
Dunno. When you gamble, almost every wager involves an absolute yes/no outcome. If you bet Under 8.5, you know you've lost when the 9th run is scored. But when you bet lengths, there is a chance you'll be betting on a judgement call.
I know nothing of Horse racing, however I am considering these wagers going against SMARTY JONES:
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones be beaten by 3½ lengths or more?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 121 Yes +420 Risk To Win
122 No -460 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 3 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 107 Yes -136 Risk To Win
108 No +126 Risk To Win
Sat 6/5 Will Smarty Jones win by 4 lengths or more ?
Maximum Wager: 500.00 USD
12:00 PM 109 Yes -102 Risk To Win
110 No -108 Risk To Win<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't know much about horse betting, but who determines how many lengths a horse "officially" wins or loses by?
What if Smarty is beaten by 3.3 lengths, or 3.25 lengths? Not really 3 lengths, not really 3.5 lengths.
Dunno. When you gamble, almost every wager involves an absolute yes/no outcome. If you bet Under 8.5, you know you've lost when the 9th run is scored. But when you bet lengths, there is a chance you'll be betting on a judgement call.
Steve Davidowitz article about SJ and Belmont stakes:
By winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with considerable room to spare, Smarty Jones has inspired a nationwide case of Smartymania, while seasoned observers compare him to the sport's most illustrious performers.
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens said Smarty Jones accelerated away from him in the Preakness "like Secretariat." Trainer Todd Pletcher said he thought of "Affirmed, turning his speed on and off, like a push button horse." Tom Hammond of NBC pointed out that we will be watching "the first undefeated horse since Seattle Slew" pursue the elusive Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.
We are not tuning in to see a coronation, as many expect, but the highest form of drama that sport can provide. The 1 1/2 -mile Belmont Stakes is a most diabolical climax to three demanding races in five weeks at three distances in three states.
Just last year, the engaging Funny Cide Triple Crown bid became a muddy mess in the Belmont. In 2002, front-running War Emblem lost the Belmont after stumbling out of the starting gate. In 1999, Charismatic went lame in the stretch run. In '98, Real Quiet got caught by Victory Gallop. And in 1997, Silver Charm lost when the equally talented Touch Gold swept into the lead on the far outside in the final 50 yards.
So is there a horse or circumstance ready to stop this year's challenge to history? Yes, there always is:
The late-developing, solidly built Rock Hard Ten might be ready to challenge Smarty Jones effectively at a distance he was bred to love.
Eddington, who ran a stop-and-go third in the Preakness, has signaled impending improvement with two smooth workouts over his home track, each with blinkers added to help his focus.
The fast horse Purge, who could not cope with Smarty Jones in their two meetings in Arkansas, looked brand new while scoring a 6 3/4 -length win in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on May 22. Can a suggested change of tactics in which Purge would chase Smarty Jones help turn the tables?
Most importantly, all of these horses could take turns pushing Smarty Jones into different rates of acceleration during the first mile, leaving him vulnerable for the final furlongs.
The Belmont will be won by Smarty Jones if and only if he and his underrated jockey, Stewart Elliott, continue to reach new levels of performance. That is why extremely low odds in the win pool - perhaps as low as 10 cents on the dollar by post time - are invitations to hard-nosed players to take a shot against Smarty.
Not me. There is no way I will bet against this superbly talented horse in this historic race, even though I love the way Hard Rock Ten, Eddington and Purge are progressing and believe this is an above-average crop of 3-year-olds.
Smarty Jones (No. 9) simply has shown too much grace and power to expect a form reversal, and his outside post should give Elliott a chance to measure the right spot to place him in the run to the first turn - rain or shine. Smarty Jones just might be ready to put in a performance that could leave us all seeking to compare him to the ghosts of racing's past.
My wagering strategy for my hypothetical $100 Belmont Stakes bankroll will be similar to my winning play in the Preakness, to feature Smarty Jones as a win key in trifectas, as follows:
$8 trifecta ticket A: Smarty Jones (9), in the win position, over stretch runners Eddington (8), Rock Hard Ten (5) and longshot Master David (1) in the second position; plus those three along with Purge (2) and longshot (4) Birdstone in the third position. That's an $8 trifecta, 9; with 1, 5, 8; with 1, 2, 4, 5, 8. ($96).
Plus, a $2 souvenir win bet on No. 9 Smarty Jones.
Total $98. Call me a Smartymaniac.
Steve Davidowitz is a freelance columnist for the Daily Racing Form and the author of Betting Thoroughbreds.
By winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with considerable room to spare, Smarty Jones has inspired a nationwide case of Smartymania, while seasoned observers compare him to the sport's most illustrious performers.
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens said Smarty Jones accelerated away from him in the Preakness "like Secretariat." Trainer Todd Pletcher said he thought of "Affirmed, turning his speed on and off, like a push button horse." Tom Hammond of NBC pointed out that we will be watching "the first undefeated horse since Seattle Slew" pursue the elusive Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.
We are not tuning in to see a coronation, as many expect, but the highest form of drama that sport can provide. The 1 1/2 -mile Belmont Stakes is a most diabolical climax to three demanding races in five weeks at three distances in three states.
Just last year, the engaging Funny Cide Triple Crown bid became a muddy mess in the Belmont. In 2002, front-running War Emblem lost the Belmont after stumbling out of the starting gate. In 1999, Charismatic went lame in the stretch run. In '98, Real Quiet got caught by Victory Gallop. And in 1997, Silver Charm lost when the equally talented Touch Gold swept into the lead on the far outside in the final 50 yards.
So is there a horse or circumstance ready to stop this year's challenge to history? Yes, there always is:
The late-developing, solidly built Rock Hard Ten might be ready to challenge Smarty Jones effectively at a distance he was bred to love.
Eddington, who ran a stop-and-go third in the Preakness, has signaled impending improvement with two smooth workouts over his home track, each with blinkers added to help his focus.
The fast horse Purge, who could not cope with Smarty Jones in their two meetings in Arkansas, looked brand new while scoring a 6 3/4 -length win in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on May 22. Can a suggested change of tactics in which Purge would chase Smarty Jones help turn the tables?
Most importantly, all of these horses could take turns pushing Smarty Jones into different rates of acceleration during the first mile, leaving him vulnerable for the final furlongs.
The Belmont will be won by Smarty Jones if and only if he and his underrated jockey, Stewart Elliott, continue to reach new levels of performance. That is why extremely low odds in the win pool - perhaps as low as 10 cents on the dollar by post time - are invitations to hard-nosed players to take a shot against Smarty.
Not me. There is no way I will bet against this superbly talented horse in this historic race, even though I love the way Hard Rock Ten, Eddington and Purge are progressing and believe this is an above-average crop of 3-year-olds.
Smarty Jones (No. 9) simply has shown too much grace and power to expect a form reversal, and his outside post should give Elliott a chance to measure the right spot to place him in the run to the first turn - rain or shine. Smarty Jones just might be ready to put in a performance that could leave us all seeking to compare him to the ghosts of racing's past.
My wagering strategy for my hypothetical $100 Belmont Stakes bankroll will be similar to my winning play in the Preakness, to feature Smarty Jones as a win key in trifectas, as follows:
$8 trifecta ticket A: Smarty Jones (9), in the win position, over stretch runners Eddington (8), Rock Hard Ten (5) and longshot Master David (1) in the second position; plus those three along with Purge (2) and longshot (4) Birdstone in the third position. That's an $8 trifecta, 9; with 1, 5, 8; with 1, 2, 4, 5, 8. ($96).
Plus, a $2 souvenir win bet on No. 9 Smarty Jones.
Total $98. Call me a Smartymaniac.
Steve Davidowitz is a freelance columnist for the Daily Racing Form and the author of Betting Thoroughbreds.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by #1cheater#:
LMAO, DID you see the look on that old fart's face and the kid? to funny, they have it sooo bad
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I thought his Bush-like kid was going to cry ... waaaaah, waaaaaah.
Poor gazillionaires.
LMAO, DID you see the look on that old fart's face and the kid? to funny, they have it sooo bad
I thought his Bush-like kid was going to cry ... waaaaah, waaaaaah.
Poor gazillionaires.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by #1cheater#:
Whilst I have you here Lander, do you golf?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I used to golf on a weekly basis, but hadn't played in about 5 years up until last weekend's monsoon.
I bought a new set at Dick's and promptly shattered my 3 wood in the hurricane as it slipped out of my hands .. lol.
Luckily, they replaced it
Whilst I have you here Lander, do you golf?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I used to golf on a weekly basis, but hadn't played in about 5 years up until last weekend's monsoon.
I bought a new set at Dick's and promptly shattered my 3 wood in the hurricane as it slipped out of my hands .. lol.
Luckily, they replaced it
