FACes & PlaceS
LOCAL COLOR 2004

Smarty Jones
by Linda Camac

Not ever having been a horse racing fan, and, in fact, always in doubt of how “humane” the industry was, I had to examine “why” my obsession with Smarty Jones, and my excitement over his bid for the Triple Crown.

It has just been a matter of a few weeks, perhaps, when I first remember hearing bits about this little chestnut colt with the spirit of a lion. I heard the news that Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby. Always being attracted to underdog (horse) stories, I started to pay more attention. I learned of this young colt’s brush with death after being badly injured. I learned of his trainer, and jockey finally getting the recognition they deserved through this aspiring star of the racetrack. I even heard that Smarty Jones was named after the mother of the owner, Mr. Roy Chapman.

My curiosity peaked; I did something I have never done before. I watched a horse race. Actually seeing this beautiful horse for the first time, run with all he had, and win the Preaknes, hooked me, emotionally, to Smarty Jones. In an imperfect world, he represented perfection to me, physically, and in spirit. One has to admire a creature who was born wanting to do something, and does it with such precision and ease. Smarty Jones became a symbol to me.

I also gained a little education about horse races. I didn’t previously know what the sequence was to win the Triple Crown. I didn’t previously know a horse only gets one shot at it. I didn’t realize that it had been 27 years since this coveted prize had been won. I became aware that Smarty Jones was about to go down in sports history. I also saw images of his owners Mr. & Mrs. Chapman. I somehow got the impression they were “salt of the Earth”, good people. I liked them.

As I watched Smarty approach the starting gate on Saturday, I felt a sense of pride, and excitement (tinged with a little anxiety). When the gates opened, I watched him take the lead and keep the lead! I found myself putting my arm around my daughter’s shoulder, and squealing like a teenager that had seen her first rock star idol. I felt happy and giddy. I wanted this “underdog” to come out on top. After all, I had just seen the movie Sea Biscuit, and it seemed so surreal that a similar true story was actually happening right before my eyes. Then the unthinkable happened.

I worried about Smarty Jones; I worried about Mr. & Mrs. Chapman, the trainer John Serves, the jockey Elliott Stewart. I started to examine my own devastation. Why?

I have since concluded that in the midst of all the ugliness the world is in, with wars, disregard for living things, the economy, the fear that exists everywhere in everyone, the planned and random violence all around us…America needed a champion.

Maybe because human nature is so profoundly flawed with hatred, envy, and hostility…. people needed a reminder that we could be better, we could be our “higher” selves. America needed Smarty Jones, a pure and glorious creation with a purpose. Doing what he was born to do with no expectations or ulterior motives. America needed the passion, and the way that Smarty Jones managed to soften our hearts, and unite us, if just for a little while. United in hope, and the magic that only a little, three year old, chestnut colt, with the spirit of a lion, can weave.

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Linda Camac currently live in Philadelphia, near the Manayunk section. She works part time at a local hospital as a medical transcriber and volunteers at her local wildlife center. She is enjoying the two newest members of her family - her two granddaughters, Olivia Mae Hasbrouck 6 months old, and Lila Kennedy 3 weeks old.

Photo used with permission: Cindy Pierson Dulay
www.horse-races.net