In case any of you missed it, Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby on May 1. The Derby win improved the Pennsylvania horse's record to a perfect 6-0. That made Smarty Jones the first undefeated Derby winner since the great Seattle Slew back in 1977. Smarty Jones picked up a $5 million bonus for the victory since he also won the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. If Smarty Jones is able to win the remaining two legs of the Triple Crown (the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico and the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park), Smarty Jones would pick up another $5 million bonus. That would push Smarty Jones past Cigar as the winningest horse of all time.
However, all was not rosy for Smarty Jones following his Derby win. There were some health concerns. So much so that trainer John Servis talked about holding Smarty Jones out of the Preakness on May 15. But, as of this weekend, John Servis sees no reason why Smarty Jones will not be making the short trip to Baltimore for the Preakness.
Coverage of the Preakness Stakes will be at 5 o'clock on NBC on May 15.
