Before the Aug. 1 induction ceremony for the 2025 class of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame began Aug. 1 at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion on the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds, a fan in a Philadelphia Flyers jersey in the crowd and a poster hanging from the balcony with the words "Smarty's Party" in Someday Farm blue told the story of the day.
On this pleasant summer morning in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Philadelphia sports hero Smarty Jones would join racing's immortals.
Owner Pat Chapman, who campaigned Smarty Jones with her husband Roy, smiled widely as she accepted the award for the son of Elusive Quality who in 2004 became the first undefeated Kentucky Derby (G1) winner since Seattle Slew, won the Preakness Stakes (G1) by a then-record 11 1/2 lengths, and then took his perfect record into the Belmont Stakes (G1), where he led into the stretch only to be caught by Birdstone late.
As a Pennsylvania-bred who made his first two starts at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) rather than in New York, Kentucky, or California, Smarty Jones would be viewed as a working-class runner in the Sport of Kings. He won those two juvenile starts by a combined 22 3/4 lengths, forcing his way onto the Triple Crown trail with his considerable talent.
Once given that opportunity, Smarty Jones would roll to a stakes wins in New York and then three in Arkansas, topped by a clear victory in the Arkansas Derby (G2). The public thrilled to both his talents and charisma. The 120,139 fans who turned out for the 2004 Belmont Stakes is still the record crowd for that race.
Smarty Jones would be retired after the Belmont and while he was eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2009, he did not make it past the nominating committee and onto the ballot until this year. He would be the lone horse or individual selected for this year's class from the contemporary category in a class of seven.
Chapman thanked fans for keeping interest in Smarty Jones going and specifically mentioned the work of turf writers Dick Jerardi and former BloodHorse writer Steve Haskin for capturing his story. Chapman's husband died in 2006.
"Chappy is not here to enjoy this with us. He would be loving and cherishing every minute, but he's here in my heart. He's always here in my heart," Pat Chapman said. "I look around the room and I see the faces of so many Pennsylvania Thoroughbred horsemen, Pennsylvania breeders, Pennsylvania fans, and racing fans from other parts of the country. You've all worked so hard to keep Smarty's memory alive, and well, you've done a great job. I thank every one of you."
While Smarty Jones spent the day at his current home, Equistar Training and Breeding, near Annville, Pa., where he stands for $3,500, trainer John Servis and jockey Stewart Elliott—the only rider for Smarty Jones in his nine career starts—both made the trip. Chapman yielded some of her time to the trainer and jockey.
Servis recalled Smarty Jones' considerable talent but noted his connection with people also was special. That combination would see Smarty Jones land on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline, "Why Everybody Loves Smarty Jones," and even be selected by Time Magazine on its list of most influential people of 2004.
"Beyond his talent, he had something more special—his connection with people," Servis said. "He wasn't just a racehorse; he was a hero. Whether it was his rags-to-riches story, his blue-collar roots, or the way he fought every step of the way, fans saw themselves in him. He reminded us all of why we love this sport."
Elliott said he'll never forget the feeling of Smarty Jones' desire to win while riding him.
"I felt how determined he was, how much heart he had, and how much he loved to run," Elliott said. "He gave me his all in each and every race. I thank him for changing my career and touching so many people's hearts. It was the ride of a lifetime."
While Smarty Jones drew the crowd, Pillar of the Turf Arthur Hancock III saw the day's lone standing ovation. That reaction likely had as much to do with Hancock's lifetime commitment to the horse and the integrity of racing as much as his considerable accomplishments as a breeder or owner of legendary horses such as dual classic winners Sunday Silence and Risen Star, and Kentucky Derby winner Gato Del Sol—just to name a few.
"To be honored as a Pillar of the Turf and follow in the footsteps of my father (Arthur "Bull" Hancock Jr.) and grandfather (Arthur Hancock Sr.) is indeed a profound and humbling experience," Hancock said. "I would like to pay tribute to my father, Bull Hancock, for imparting my deep respect and admiration for the horse and the love of the game.
"He always said work hard, be honest, and remember that you have one reputation and once it's gone, it's gone. I think Thoroughbred racing would be wise to remember those words."
Sunday Silence became a breed-shaping sire in Japan. Officials from the Japan Racing Association thanked Hancock at the ceremony and presented him with an image of Sunday Silence. JRA president and CEO Masayoshi Yoshida said Japan racing and breeding would not exist the way it is today without Sunday Silence.
Other Pillars of the Turf inducted Friday were author and longtime BloodHorse writer and editor Ed Bowen as well as Richard Ten Broeck, owner of Lexington.
Bowen also served in numerous roles with the Hall of Fame and provided leadership and fundraising skills for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
"I think he really liked the feeling that he was contributing to the well-being of horses, therefore, ultimately, contributing to the well-being of the sport," said wife Ruthie Bowen, who accepted the award on behalf of Ed, who passed away in January. Bowen authored more than 20 books on horse racing. "He loved writing articles but he really loved delving into a book and trying to tell the whole story."
As the story goes, Ten Broeck was thrown out of West Point after a fight with an instructor that would lead to the challenge of a duel that never materialized. He found his calling with horses in the late 19th century, campaigning standout Lexington—who would lead the general sires list 16 times. He would race horses in England, where Ten Broeck would become a member of the English Jockey Club. He also owned Metairie Race Course in New Orleans.
"I would have loved to have known him. Part of the biography still has me giggling," said Shelley Ten Broeck in accepting the award. "Over the years, only a handful of stories made their way down in our family. One thing is clear: He left a lasting impression in horse racing. He helped shape the sport in the early days.
"I feel a surprising sense of connection and I've learned a lot about my family through this Hall of Fame ceremony."
Alfred Nuckols Jr., a fifth-generation horseman, accepted the award on behalf of historic review horse Decathlon, a two-time champion sprinter in the 1950s who was bred by the Nuckols Brothers. Nuckols, who recalled as a child hanging out with Dog Blessed, the dam of Decathlon, said that before Decathlon ever started in a race, he stepped on a nail and that wound became infected. It led to a unique stride and his connections opted to sprint him because of that.
"He's truly an amazing horse worthy of his status as champion and now as a member of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame," Nuckols said.
Other historic review inductees included Hermis, a standout at the beginning of the 20th century who was retrospectively selected for a pair of Horse of the Year honors in the first five years of the 1900s by BloodHorse; and George Conway, trainer of 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral.
