Smarty Jones, the chestnut racehorse who captured national attention in 2004, is finally being inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, writes Aziza Shuler for CBS News Philadelphia.
This honor comes 21 years after his stunning Kentucky Derby win. Born and bred in Chester County, Pennsylvania, the colt was named after breeder Pat Chapman’s mother, nicknamed “Smarty.”
Smarty Jones became a household name when he entered the 2004 Triple Crown undefeated. He dominated the Kentucky Derby and set a still-standing record in the Preakness Stakes with an 11½-length victory.
Despite falling just one length short in the Belmont Stakes, his impact on the sport was undeniable.
“Philadelphia, they were really hot for Smarty, they loved him. There were billboards about the horse, there were songs about him,” Chapman said. “The fan mail, we had tubs and tubs of fan mail.”
In only two years on the track, Smarty Jones earned $7.6 million and built a devoted fanbase.
He was officially enshrined this past Friday in Saratoga Springs, New York, joining racing’s elite and completing a storybook legacy.
Read more about Chester County’s most famous racehorse getting the honor he deserves at CBS News Philadelphia.
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