John Servis finally earns acclaim as Smarty Jones prepares to stake his claim to the Triple Crown.
By DAVE SCHEIBER
Published June 3, 2004
ELMONT, N.Y. - There was a mildly awkward moment Wednesday at the post-position draw for Saturday's Belmont Stakes, rapt in Triple Crown mania.
Trainer John Servis, standing at the podium and facing a horde of national media, was asked to make a call on his cell phone to pinpoint the precise location of his famous thoroughbred, Smarty Jones, the horse the whole world is watching this week.
No answer.
Assistant trainer Bill Foster, riding in the van transporting Smarty from his home at Philadelphia Park a few hours away, never picked up. After about 30 seconds, Belmont track announcer Tom Durkin interjected, "Maybe he's at the Vince Lombardi rest stop (on the New Jersey Turnpike)."
That would have been a fitting spot to find a thoroughbred on the verge of becoming one of the sport's great champions: one win away from becoming the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 and the first unbeaten Triple Crown champ since Seattle Slew in 1977.
And maybe the most popular horse since Mr. Ed.
Despite the cell phone snafu, Smarty arrived just fine soon after and will answer a far more important call Saturday at 6:38 p.m. - the call to the post in the ninth position, anchoring the 136th running of the grueling, mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes.
A record Belmont crowd is expected - the current mark of 103,222 was set in 2002 for War Emblem's failed Triple Crown bid. Should Smarty prevail, winning a second $5-million bonus in the process, the heavy 2-5 favorite would surge past Cigar to become the top North American thoroughbred money-earner of all-time with more than $13-million.
Not surprisingly, Servis was the man of the hour Wednesday. He fielded countless questions about this Philadelphia story with an equine twist - how Smarty has changed not only his life but the sport as well after winning the Kentucky Derby barely a month ago and following with a record-breaking, 111/2-length victory at the Preakness.
He talked about how, in July 2003, Smarty Jones nearly died after rearing at the gate while training, smashing his head into an iron rail and leaving the horse unconscious and out of commission for three months with a fractured skull and eye orbit.
He talked about the fragile health of owner Roy Chapman, whose emphysema limits how much time he can spend with the horse born on Chapman's Someday Farm in Chester County, Pa. And he talked of about what a difference a year makes.
During last year's Belmont Stakes, "I was saddling horses at Delaware Park," Servis said. "I remember running into the grandstand to watch the race on television." Until last month, he was considered a quintessential journeyman trainer. He had one of the top horses of 2000, Jostle, and oversees 44 horses in all. But fame and acclaim eluded him. Now, the Belmont has brought him to the verge of history.
"It means everything," he said. "I've worked my whole life to be successful as a trainer. If he wins the Triple Crown, there's nothing that stamps success more than that. With that said, I haven't had a chance to enjoy it that much because you're always looking forward to the next race."
But Servis has no doubts about what Smarty Jones, 8-for-8, already has accomplished in elevating excitement about horse racing. "It's a great story, and it has so many twists," he said. "Nationwide, people have fallen in love with this horse. I think it's great for the industry."
As an indication of Smarty Jones' newfound appeal around the country, Servis was asked several questions at his news conference submitted by fans around the country.
The first was from California: Is there any substance to rumors linking Smarty to Jennifer Lopez?"
"You're going to get me in a lot of trouble," said Servis as laughter filled the room.
Then, there was this from an Ohio fan: What are Smarty's positions on the national debt?
"I would say he's looking forward to earning some money to put toward that debt right now," Servis replied without missing a beat.
The horse might be starting to leave its hoofprint nationally, but he already is a hot commodity in the Philadelphia area. In a town well-known for being tough on its sports heroes, Smarty is receiving Rocky-like adulation - especially considering the title woes endured recently by the NFL's Eagles and the NHL's Flyers.
"The notoriety he's got from Philadelphia has been unbelievable," said Servis. "They love him. He's their horse. And we're a city that's starved for a championship. ... As far as the Pennsylvania breeders, it would be great to say we have a Triple Crown winner."
Though he has a blue-blood connection, as a distant relative to the legendary Secretariat, Smarty Jones has a no-nonsense, blue-collar horse appeal - a trait that seems to endear him to Philly fans. "I just hope they don't lose sight of the fact that we did win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness," Servis said.
So will Philly fans boo Smarty Jones if he doesn't come through? "I don't think so. But they may throw snowballs at him ... " The fact is Servis thinks the hardened Philly fans like the horse's grit.
"Somebody asked me of all the athletes who he reminds me of, and you've got to go back: He reminds me of (Muhammad) Ali. He's very cocky and he lets you know. He'll walk by and kick you, not hard, but just to let you know he's there. He fits right in with (Philly fans). And if he doesn't win, he'll probably boo me."
Servis sees jockey Stewart Elliott as a perfect fit for Smarty Jones. Elliott has experienced his own share of rough rides, fighting a weight problem, then alcoholism and legal trouble from assault charges that he says stemmed from his drinking. But he appears to have gotten his life together, and Smarty has given him a fresh start in life after more than 3,000 career victories.
"(Smarty) and Stewart are both tough customers," Servis said. "They both got a second chance and have made the best of it."
Servis expects his jockey and horse to make the best of their outside post position in the nine-horse field Saturday. The advantage is that Elliott and Smarty won't have to worry about getting jostled in the pack and can keep an eye on the field to the inside down the long opening stretch.
"I'm happy with the post," Servis said. "The tactic we used in the Kentucky Derby - we could sit outside of horses, and Stewie doesn't have to worry about what's going on outside of him and secure a good position by the time he gets to the first turn."
Smarty's toughest challenge is expected from Purge (with 5-1 odds) in the No. 2 position and Rock Hard Ten (8-1) at No. 5. The rest of the field shakes out this way: post position 1, Master David (20-1); 3, Caiman (50-1); 4, Birdstone (15-1); 6, Royal Assault (20-1); 7, Tap Dancer (50-1); and 8, Eddington (10-1).
Now comes the hard part for Servis - waiting for the race:
"It's going to be tough. Going into the Derby and the Preakness, it wasn't that bad. I kept myself busy. I was excited about winning the Derby because I thought we really had a big chance. I didn't let myself get tied up in the Triple Crown because it was so farfetched, I didn't really consider it. Now (that) we have a shot and it's out there to get, I'm really excited."
