August 2, 200422 yr Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones, who fell a length shy this year of becoming the first Triple Crown champion in 24 years, will retire from horse racing today. His handlers are expected to make a formal announcement later this afternoon. Smarty Jones is recovering from a bruised left front hoof that forced trainer John Servis last week to withdraw the popular colt from the Sept. 6 running of the Pennsylvania Derby. The horse returned to Philadelphia Park on Friday. The race would have been Smarty's first since he fell short of the Triple Crown with a one-length loss to Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes on June 5. The bruise was removed from Smarty Jones' hoof about two weeks ago. Servis said Smarty Jones has had several bruises cut out over the past five months, including one before the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones, owned by Pat and Roy Chapman, is based at Philadelphia Park. His first two starts were at the track, with his last race there a 15-length romp in the Nursery Stakes last Nov. 20. Birdstone ran down Smarty Jones with a furlong to go in the Belmont, spoiling the colt's bid to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Despite the one-length loss, Smarty's popularity remains strong. He was recently syndicated in a deal totaling about $48 million, and will stand at stud at Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky., after he retires. Smarty Jones has won eight of nine career starts with earnings of $7,563,535, including a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park for victories in the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby. The leading North American earner is Cigar at $9,999,915.
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