Smarty Jones back on track

BENSALEM, Pa. - Smarty Jones, who will try to become Thoroughbred racing's 12th Triple Crown winner in the June 5 Belmont Stakes, returned to the track Wednesday morning for the first time since his record-setting victory in last Saturday's Preakness Stakes as he jogged one-half mile and galloped one-half mile at Philadelphia Park.

Smarty Jones, with exercise rider Pete Van Trump up, came on the track just before 6 a.m. with a light drizzle falling. Trainer John Servis, astride his pony, accompanied Smarty Jones throughout the whole exercise.

As Smarty Jones jogged the wrong way, Servis looked over at three reporters and said, "he's full of himself this morning." Smarty Jones backed up to the wire, before turning around and lightly galloping the right way until the half-mile pole.

Smarty Jones was off the track by 6:05 a.m.

Smarty Jones is scheduled to have a public gallop on Saturday morning at 8:30 at Philadelphia Park.