I love to watch horseracing. This year the horse named Smarty Jones, won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, (June 5th, 2004). If he wins the Preakness, he will win the Triple Crown.
Stewart Elliott was the jockey. He had never ridden a horse at the Kentucky Derby before, and no one knew who he was.
He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 39 years ago. His family was dysfunctional and when he was a teenager he became an alcoholic.
He moved to Atlantic City, and racing at the Atlantic City Race track. Elliott won the jockey’s title here at 16, taking 58 races in 1981. That track was about to close so he moved to New Jersey.
He took any job at any race track that would hire him.
Three years ago his plee was guilty twice to hitting his girlfriend, and two months later he beat up a friend.
Elliott beat Alexander Kovakik with a beer bottle, pool cue and wooden stool inside the man’s Burlington County, New Jersey, home in 2000. He plead guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $13, 900 to cover the victim’s medical bills.
In April 2002, a judge cut short Elliott’s probation by two months after his lawyer said New Jersey racing officials would not renew his jockey’s licence.
.:Bobby Camac:.
Bobby Camac was the trainer for the Someday Farms in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Dr. Patricia Hogan and her husband, Roy, own the farm. When her broodmare, (I’ll Get Along), had a chestnut coloured colt she name it after the nickname she called her mother, ( Mildred Jones), Smarty.
Two years ago Bobby Camac liked Stewart Elliott, and he convinced the Chapman’s to hire him. Elliot promised to get some help and he did. He went to A. A. and took some anger management courses.
Last December Mr. Carac and his wife were shot to death, by their stepson.
Naturally everyone was upset, and a few people were worried that Elliott would start drinking again. He didn’t!
.:John Servis:.
Servis was hired to be the new trainer. Twelve days later, during a training session, Smarty Jones was being put into the starting gate, when he reared up, and banged his head on an iron bar. Blood was running our to his nostrils, and they though he was dead. Stewart Elliott, was on the ground, holding his shoulder.
Smarty when to the Clinic and while they were there the though he lost his eye. Elliot went to the hospital and had his shoulder and arm attended to.
Luckily Smarty hadn’t lost his vision, but he did have a few cracked bones, (near his eye). They gave him some medicine and sent him home.
Elliot felt he could communicate with Smarty, without making a sound. When he got back to the stables, he looked at Smarty and told the stable hand to bring Sparty some oats. Sparty ate them up very fast.
The Kentucky Derby:
This race is held at the Churchill Downs in Kentucky, on May 1, 2004. It is a 1 1/4 mile race.
The night before it had been pouring. It was still raining, but about 150, 000 people came to see the race. The crowd were sipping Mint Juleps. As the horses began to come on the track, My Old Kentucky Home, was played.
The odds on Smarty Jones were 4 to 1. Stewart Elliott was wearing blue and white silks. Smarty walked in proudly, not bothered by the crowd.
Eighteen horse were entered in the race, and Lion Heart was the favourite. When the gates opened Lion Heart went to the front and lead the field until the last turn in the backstretch, when Smarty was almost neck and neck with Lion Heart. Elliot leaned down and told Smarty not to let the pacesetter win the race. With a furlong to go Smarty Jones passed Lion Heart and won the race by 2 3/4 lengths.
Mr. Clark, has an oxygen tank with him at all times. I thought there was going to be another tragedy when Smarty Jones won the race. The family carried him down to see the blanket of red roses put on Smarty Jones, and have the million dollar cheque presented to him. Stewart Elliott earned $100.00.
Elliot Makes A Mistake:
When he submitted his application to ride in the Kentucky Derby, he checked ’no’, where the questions asked if the applicant had been arrested, indicted or plead to any criminal offense within the last 10 years. He had battered his friend ten years ago. He was fined $1000.00 USD for this.
The Preakness:
This race was held on May 15th, at Pimlico Baltimore, Maryland. It is a 1/3/16 mile race.
As the horse begin the parade, everyone at the track, (100.00 people), stands up and sings Maryland, My Maryland.
This time Stewart Elliott didn’t let Lion Heart get to far ahead of him. At the last turn, he leaned down and told Smarty Jones, ’’Let ’er rip!’’.
It seemed like a wind lifted Smarty up as he flew passed Lion Heard.
Smarty Jones recieved a blanket of red roses. The Clarks won one million dollars and Stewart earned $100, 00.
The Belmont Stakes:
This track is held at the Belmont Track, at Elmont, New York. It will be held on June 5th, 2004. The race is 1 ½ miles long.
If Stewart Elliott, with a little help from Smarty Jones, wins the Triple Crown he will be the first Canadian jockey to do this, since the one who rode Seabisquit.
.:My Conclusion:.
No one is perfect, we all make mistakes, every one needs to be forgiven.
Stewart Elliott was a man of his word, and kept his promise to Bobby Camac.
His remarkable journey from being a drunk to being the highest paid jockey in 2004, proves that you can do anything you want to. It takes grit, courage, and some one who will believe in you.
That makes him a hero to me.
Thank you for reading my review. I hope you enjoyed it.
©LL2004