Title: Smarty Jones Inducted into National Horse Racing Hall of Fame

Smarty Jones, who began his career at then-Philadelphia Park, has been named to the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

The Pennsylvania-bred horse who captured the hearts of sports and horse fans across the world during his historic race for the Triple Crown in 2004 is being inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the organization announced.

Smarty Jones is one of seven new inductees into the Hall of Fame and the only inductee from the 2025 class to be selected from the contemporary racing category.

This was Smarty Jones’ first year as a finalist on the ballot, and his selection makes him only the fourth Pennsylvania-bred thoroughbred to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Smarty Jones was born on Feb. 28, 2001, at Roy and Pat Chapman’s 100-acre Someday Farm in Chester County.

A chestnut colt, Smarty Jones began his racing career at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) in November 2003 and was trained by Parx-based trainer John Servis. He was ridden exclusively by jockey Stewart Elliott.

After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes by a record 11 1/2 lengths, Smarty Jones was undefeated with eight first-place finishes in eight races heading into the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown.

After placing second in the Belmont, a length behind Birdstone, Smarty Jones retired with a record of 8-1-0 in 9 starts.

The horse continues to live in Pennsylvania, where he stands at stud at Equistar Training and Breeding Center in Annville. “I am thrilled that Smarty Jones has finally been inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame and received the recognition he deserves,” Owner Pat Chapman said. “I am thankful to the individuals who supported Smarty’s inclusion as an inductee in this year’s class, particularly those who worked to have him included in this year’s ballot. Smarty was the quintessential underdog, overcoming incredible odds and capturing the hearts of people around the world as he took us on the ride of a lifetime.”

“Smarty is a very special horse and well-deserving of this honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Servis said. “I am thrilled for Mrs. Chapman and the entire Smarty Jones team that he and his achievements will forever be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.”

“Smarty Jones’ victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness gave the average person and small breeders in Pennsylvania the hope that their own dreams of one day having a Triple Crown contender could be achieved,” said Brian Sanfratello, Executive Secretary of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association. “Smarty was a true underdog and the obstacles he was able to overcome made him a great ambassador for our sport who attracted many new fans.”

Smarty was on Time magazine’s list of most influential "people" in 2004 and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and numerous other publications. His 11 1/2-length Preakness victory remains the largest in the race’s 149-year history.

To earn induction into the Hall of Fame, finalists must receive a majority of votes from the voting panel. The induction ceremony will be held on Aug. 1 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, NY.