Smarty Jones takes Sunday jog

BENSALEM, Pa. - Smarty Jones, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, returned to the track for a routine jog on Sunday morning at Philadelphia Park, his first appearance on the track since his seven-furlong workout on Friday.

It is standard for Smarty Jones to get a day off following a workout, and then to merely jog his first day back on the track.

Smarty Jones came on the track at 5:40 a.m. with exercise rider Pete Van Trump. They were accompanied by trainer John Servis, who was aboard the stable pony, Butterscotch.

After emerging at the quarter-mile chute, they jogged once around the track the wrong way, while staying near the outer rail. As Servis passed the finish line, he called out to the only two reporters there, "Lovely morning."

Smarty Jones got a little anxious after seven furlongs, letting out a couple of kicks as he passed the furlong pole. Servis allowed him to canter the final furlong until he reached the chute.

At 5:55, Smarty Jones left the track and headed back to his barn.

Smarty Jones will gallop here on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, before traveling by van late Wednesday morning to Belmont Park, where in Saturday's Belmont Stakes he will attempt to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner.