Smarty Jones-not track

[MJD]

A lot of the posters to the board seem to be overall sports fans. Just curious if many will watch the Belmont this afternoon? I assume that the event means nothing to the non North Americans. Even if it is a horse, one can still appreciate its athleticism and the excitement of the attempt at the triple crown-at least I can.

[kuha]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

This will be huge. I'm a "fair weather" horse race fan--I only pay attention during the 3 big races, but then I really DO pay attention. Unfortunately, I believe the Belmont is on at the same time as the track meet...will anyone be watching track?

I'll add that my all-time favorite non-track sporting spectacle (seen on TV) was Secretariat's 31-length Belmont win some 30 years ago. Over the top awesome...

[EPelle]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

Top Story on Sportsline:

Forecast rain in New York isn't likely to deter Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes (6:38 p.m. ET post time). Most expect him to end a 26-year wait and win the Triple Crown

http://www.sportsline.com/horseracing/story/7390651

Trivia:

Smarty Jones is named for the mother of Pat Chapman, Mildrid McNair, whose childhood nickname was Smarty Jones. McNair died in 1989 and the horse was born on her birthday in 2001... Jones was sired by Elusive Quality out of I'll Get Along, and is a great-great-grandson of Secretariat... The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Affirmed, in 1978.

Triple Crown winners:

Year Horse Jockey Trainer
1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen Laz Barrera
1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet Billy Turner
1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin
1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro Jimmy Jones
1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens Max Hirsch
1943 Count Fleet John Longden Don Cameron
1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro Ben Jones
1937 War Admiral Kurtsinger George Conway
1935 Omaha William Saunders Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons
1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons
1919 Sir Barton John Loftus H.G. Bedwell

[MJD]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

>This will be huge. I'm a "fair weather" horse race fan--I only pay attention
>during the 3 big races, but then I really DO pay attention. Unfortunately, I
>believe the Belmont is on at the same time as the track meet...will anyone be
>watching track?

I have no choice where I am but to get my results from the computer but even if I got ESPN or the deuce, I would flip over for the race.

[ycn]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

Thus far, and keep your fingers crossed, the track has been blazing fast today.

Smarty Jones might very well accomplish one of the rarest feats in horse racing: win the Triple Crown undefeated. Great, great horse.

[tandfman]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

For those who want to try to watch both, according to the Belmont Park website, post time is 6:38. So you can break away from the meet for a couple of minutes right around then.

[tafnut]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

I don't care how big a t&f fan you are, if you're ANY kind of sports fan you will be watching the Belmont at 6:38pm.

[ycn]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

The first time I saw Smarty Jones run I was struck by his running style, which is more like a dog's than any other horse I've ever seen. Despite his lack of imposing size, he just can run a blistering pace.

Makes me think of Secretariat. Not in stature or looks, but in the heart. The greatest horses always have the heart of champions. I get chills thinking about what this race today could be.

Needless to say, I'm a BIG fan.

[MJD]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

>I don't care how big a t&f fan you are, if you're ANY kind of sports fan you
>will be watching the Belmont at 6:38pm.

2 to 5 it won't go off on time.

[EPelle]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

Sorry fellas, but I am not staying up another 47 minutes to wait for the start... it is almost midnight.

[MJD]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

>Thus far, and keep your fingers crossed, the track has been blazing fast
>today.

Trouble is, he won his last two races on off tracks.

[MJD]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

>Sorry fellas, but I am not staying up another 47 minutes to wait for the
>start... it is almost midnight.

You'll regret it if SJ wins especially if another TC doesn't happen for 26 years.

[EPelle]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

Ah, sacrifices which need to be made: sleep or history! I can sleep another day, but then it puts a dent in my long run tomorrow!

[Coach Barnet]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

>I don't care how big a t&f fan you are, if you're ANY kind of sports fan you
>will be watching the Belmont at 6:38pm.


Horse racing is NOT a sport . This inhumane act the is carried out by the worst , low brow , cowardly act ever. This is in the same league as dog fighting , firing a shot gun at ducks , using rabbits to test drugs et. Sitting on an animal and whipping it for "entertainment" is just plain cruel. God will punish those , and make the final judgement.

[EPelle]

Re: Smarty Jones-not track

>God will punish those , and make the final judgement.

Seems like God started with you, Barny.