SMARTY JONES

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The Skinny
The lovable and undefeated homebred from the great state of Pennsylvania is twelve furlongs away from racing immortality. Critics who proclaimed that he took advantage of a gooey Churchill surface were silenced when he romped with the greatest of ease in the Preakness. Has wonderful, Cigar-like tactical speed, and should be right up among the leaders in the Belmont. Played Lion Heart's cat-and-mouse games for about six furlongs in the Preakness before putting his rival away for good entering the stretch. Exploded down the lane for a huge victory, and he looked good in his subsequent workout at Philadelphia Park. Didn't go very quickly on May 28, but remember that Servis is trying to get him to go a mile-and-a-half, and it was a good sign that he relaxed so kindly in his morning trial. Far outside post may cause him some problems as the other riders may try to force him extremely wide going into the first turn. Still, he has such a great turn of foot that he probably will be glued to likely pacesetter Purge's hip down the backstretch. Can't fault those trying to beat him as his odds will be paltry, but he should be revving up on the final bend, and is obviously the one to beat in his quest for the elusive Triple Crown.

- Dan Illman