Belmont Stakes (Smarty Jones) -- LIVE THREAD

Belmont Stakes ^

[Types_with_Fist]

Glory, or heartbreak.

I looked but did not see a thread. My apologies if someone else did one. I will post as many good racing links as I can find.

The lineup:

Birdstone

Caiman

Eddington

Master David

Purge

Rock Hard Ten

Royal Assault

Smarty Jones

Tap Dancer

[Types_with_Fist]

I'm hoping it's not even close. After 26 years, it would be nice to see the Triple Crown won in spectacular fashion.

[Types_with_Fist]

If there is no other post, can this serve as the "Live Thread" today. I apologize if this is a duplicate.

[nuconvert]

9 horses..that's a good size field. Not too big, not too small.

I think he's gonna do it!

[Americanwolf]

Ok... I'll posted since no one else has... I just can resist it...


I got 5 on Smarty to take it all... ;)

[Admin Moderator]

No other thread. Thanks.

[Catspaw]

SMARTY JONES! SMARTY JONES!

[Types_with_Fist]

He's also outside, where he likes to be.

[Americanwolf]

can=can't

[Americanwolf]

yeah from what i have read.. he likes to sit on the outside and then once he gets his stride he takes off on the outside... he is a distance runner too if i remember correctly.

[demkicker]

I'm hoping it's not even close. After 26 years, it would be nice to see the Triple Crown won in spectacular fashion.

Same here. Besides, I love his name!

[nuconvert]

What's the track condition? Weather predicted?
(not that he seems to be bothered by it)

[texasflower]

I'm not really a horse racing fan, but this event is pretty cool.

What time is the race?

[nuconvert]

thought I heard them say 6:10 Eastern

[nuconvert]

Nope...just saw Belmont Stakes Post Time: 6:38 PM

[Types_with_Fist]

LET IT RIDE, SMARTY

BUT HE'LL HAVE 'BULL'S-EYE ON HIS BACK'

EXPECT 'SMARTY' TO REIGN TODAY

Expect crowning glory for Smarty Jones

[alisasny]

60 degrees chance of light rain is 70 percent most of the day with showers after 7 pm

[Types_with_Fist]

What's the track condition? Weather predicted?

I heard rain. Can anyone confirm?

[Catspaw]

Times are Eastern"

BELMONT BASICS

WHAT: 136th running of the Belmont Stakes

WHEN: 6:38 p.m. post time

WHERE: Belmont Park, Elmont, N.Y.

DISTANCE: 1 ½ milesWEIGHT: 126 pounds

TV: NBC-10, 5:30-7 p.m. Prerace coverage

on ESPN, 1-5:30 p.m.

RADIO: KYW (1060-AM); ESPN (920-AM), 6 p.m.

WEATHER: Showers are expected throughout the day; temps in the mid-50s.

ON THE WEB: nyra.com/belstakes2004 TRACK PHONE: 516-488-6000

IF YOU GO

ADMISSION: All seats are sold out and there is no infield access. There is room for thousands of fans on a first-come basis in the back yard picnic area, trackside apron area and three interior levels.

PRICE: Clubhouse admission is $5; grandstand admission is $2.

PARKING: Preferred parking is $15; general parking is $5.

TIME SCHEDULE: Parking gates open at 8:15 a.m.; admission gates open at 8:30. Post time for the first of 13 races is noon.

GETTING THERE BY CAR: Get off the New Jersey Turnpike at the Outerbridge Crossing into Staten Island. Follow signs across Staten Island toward the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Cross the bridge and get on the Belt Parkway. Continue for 15-20 miles. Get on the Cross Island Parkway North. Exits for Belmont Park are 26-D and 26-B.

GETTING THERE BY TRAIN: Amtrak trains will leave 30th Street Station for Penn Station tomorrow at 8:16 a.m., 10:16 a.m., and 11:10 a.m. Visit www.amtrak.com for details. The crowd at Belmont will be enormous. We recommend strongly catching that 8:16 a.m. train. From Penn Station, Long Island Rail Road will be offering extra trains beginning at 9:59 a.m. and continuing until 2:59 p.m. For the return trip, trains will leave Belmont Park every 15 minutes from 6:30-9 p.m. The station is right outside the second floor of the grandstand. Call 718-217-LIRR or visit http://www.mta.info/lirr/service/BelmontStakes.htm.

[alisasny]

see post 16 on weather :)

[alisasny]

freeper Ml/nj is actually going to the race. Im sure he will post when he gets home tonight.

[Types_with_Fist]

I only looked at my FReep mail this morning and replied to your note. Sorry about that. Thanks for keeping the tagline...:-)

[Catspaw]

Light rain right now. What it's going to be by post time is anyone's guess--but Smarty Jones is a mudder.

http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=elmont+

[alisasny]

I am about 20 miles east of Belmont.

Right now sun is peaking through the clouds and there was some drizzle about an hour ago. I will post if it starts pouring or gets really bad out but hey maybe it will clear up a bit.

[NoExcusesAnymore]

Nothing like being nine hours early for the job. ;)

[texasflower]

Thank you both for the info!

[ecurbh]

Ping the saddle club?

GO SMARTY!!

[HairOfTheDog]

~sending good good luck to Smarty Jones~

Ping!

[Types_with_Fist]

Yeah, guess I'm a fanatic...:-)

[budwiesest]

Thanks for the info, that's 3:38 on the West Coast, eh?

Will have to tape it, darn.

[ShakeNJake]

Go Smarty!!!

[soozla]

SMARTY JONES - great-great-great grandson of SECRETARIAT*******HE CAN'T LOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

HERE'S GRANDPA

[Types_with_Fist]

Trainer John Servis conducted a press conference with approximately 60 members of the media in the barn area...

[JamesWilson]

Here's my two cent handicapping of the race:

Horse, Recent Beyer Speed Number Avg. (-ish), 1st or 2nd Place/Total Races, Avg. Winnings per Race

9. Smarty Jones, 110, 8/8, $300,000
5. Rock Hard Ten, 102, 3/4, $87,000
2. Purge, 102, 4/5, $47,000
8. Eddington, 96, 4/7, $36,000
1. Master David, 91, 6/9, $32,000

Looking at the weather, Purge and Master David have each run one race on a muddy or sloppy track and hated it - the worst race for each. Rock Hard Ten and Eddington have always run on fast or good tracks. Can't tell how they'll take to mud in their faces and under their feet. Smarty Jones has run once on a muddy and once on a sloppy track winning both races (Ark. and Kent. Derbys) with 107 Beyer speed numbers. Those numbers are better than the speed numbers for every other race of every other horse in the Belmont Stakes except Purge's 108 number on May 22 at Belmont in the 1 1/8 mile Peter Pan Grade II Stakes.

Given the track conditions, my trifecta is: Smarty Jones, Rock Hard Ten and Eddington. I might add Purge for a superfecta.

[I still care]

I didn't know he had Secretariat in his bloodline.

[MissTargets]

For nearly a week, Servis, the low-key, level-headed trainer of Smarty Jones, hinted that he expected other horses in the race to come gunning for Smarty Jones from the start in an attempt to rattle him or put him off his game.

This is what I fear. Nick Zito has two entries (Birdstone and Royal Assault) in the race. Stewart Elliot will really have to be on the ball in this race.

Good Luck to Smarty and company!

[NoExcusesAnymore]

I have no problems with it. Go Smarty!

Muddy track conditions, longer race, cinderella horse... what could be better.

A&E is running a Biography show on the horse. It's an amazing story.

[kalama]

Glory! Smarty was ahead by 20 lenghts in the Preakness when they stopped him from running at 1 3/8 of a mile (unofficially, of course)

[Eldorado431]

Thanks for the thread.
I see the Belmont as a two horse race,with Purge taking the early lead and Smarty stalking the pace with Birdstone close up. At the half Smarty will make his move for the lead while Purge stays on strong for second in the stretch run. I am betting an 80 dollar exacta with Smarty on top and Purge for second. 20 dollar triple with Smarty first Purge second and Eddington for third. Triple Crown Winner this year for sure.

[Types_with_Fist]

A&E is running a Biography show on the horse. It's an amazing story.

I saw that the other night. Really something, huh?

[Types_with_Fist]

Smarty was ahead by 20 lenghts in the Preakness when they stopped him from running at 1 3/8 of a mile

I know. I had him picked for the Derby and had my doubts about the Belmont... until I saw the Preakness.

[lainie]

They shoulda named him Rocky!

[RightOnline]

If any of you haven't seen it and are racing fans........go get "Seabiscuit". Terrific story; killer movie. Outstanding.

[kalama]

Great Grandaddy Big Red says just do it! (sloppy track conditions or not)

[jocon307]

"I think he's gonna do it!"

Me too, but then again, I've thought that a few other times ; )

It seems by the time they get to Belmont they are whammied by the publicity. I've got several key fobs memorializing triple crown nearlies!

In any event, hubby and I will be at the race. I'll be pairing Smarty will all the long shots in the daily double. Any other wagers will be determined trackside. If I get a good pay-out I'll be sure to let you all know.

Enjoy the day!

[nuconvert]

LoL. I'm jealous. GooD Luck!

[Types_with_Fist]

"Seabiscuit"

The similarities between Smarty and the Biscuit are striking: Car salesman owner, troubled jockey, underrated trainer, small horse who had to scrabble his way to the top and overcome injury. Exceptional story on both. I agree, the movie is great... just one year off, unfortunately.

[Andyman]

I didn't know Smarty was a filly! I figured he was more of a fadder than a mudder.

[kalama]

The other 'Big Red,' Man O' War (well see if we need the comparison by the end of the day)

[Types_with_Fist]

If he wins, you'd better not cash that ticket!...:-)

[Bushite]

This is my first post on Free Republic...

I love Horse Racing and would like to offer some advice to those that have been drawn in by this Horse...Smarty Jones...

If you are going to the track today and are going to bet on Horse racing for the first time, you have a great betting opportunity. Since there will be a MASSIVE betting pool, the Pick 4 will pay a much larger amount that it would otherwise and you have a clear cut "single" to play in Smarty Jones. If you want to know how to play a Pick 4 (The winner in 4 consecutive races leading to the Belmont Stakes) At your local Race Track they are more than happy to explain how to play it and they might give you some advice as to strategy also.

Enjoy the race today and welcome to our wonderful sport....I hope you stay a while.