More Features and Columns NYRA mutuel tellers hint at strike for Belmont The president of the union representing Belmont Park's mutuel clerks said on Thursday afternoon that mutuel tellers are considering a strike on Saturday, the day of the Belmont Stakes, because of dissatisfaction over recent negotiations with NYRA on a new Why the world loves Smarty Jones Sourpusses argue that a racehorse, even one as grand as Smarty Jones, is not an athlete. Cronley: There's a reason they're called 'writers' Sportswriters don't belong on television. Sportswriters belong at a blank screen. They should let their fingers do their talking. Judge denies Valenzuela's attempt to ride in Belmont Jockey Patrick Valenzuela was suspended earlier this year for failing to report for a required drug test at Santa Anita. Smarty Jones takes Sunday jog Smarty Jones, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, returned to the track for a routine jog on Sunday morning at Philadelphia Park, his first appearance on the track since his seven-furlong workout on Friday. Affirmed wore racing's Triple Crown 26 years ago Steve Cauthen was an 18-year-old kid with a daunting task in 1978: ride Affirmed to victory in the Belmont Stakes and win the Triple Crown. Eddington has aggressive workout Eddington, the third-place finisher in the Preakness, completed preparations for Saturday's 136th Belmont Stakes by working a sharp five furlongs in 59.10 seconds Sunday morning at Belmont Park. Smarty Jones has final Belmont workout Smarty Jones, who will attempt to become the sport's 12th Triple Crown winner in the Belmont Stakes on June 5, completed his serious training for that race with a seven-furlong workout early Friday morning at Philadelphia Park. Rock Hard Ten behaves himself Rock Hard Ten returned to the track Thursday morning, jogging once around the Belmont Park oval with exercise rider John Byrne aboard. Valenzuela to challenge suspension Lawyers for jockey Patrick Valenzuela will be in court Tuesday hoping to earn a stay of a suspension that could keep him out of the final leg of the Triple Crown. Smarty's jockey fined again for 'false statements' Smarty Jones' jockey Stewart Elliott was fined again for submitting an inaccurate riders' application, this time by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. Smarty Jones may be shipped early to Belmont Smarty Jones could be shipped to New York as early as Tuesday night to prepare for the Belmont Stakes. Smarty Jones jockey Elliott leaving Philly for Monmouth Stewart Elliott is dropping his Philadelphia connection this summer in favor of the Jersey shore. 'Smarty' by the numbers: Worthy to wear Crown? Should he win the Triple Crown, where would Smarty Jones rank among others who have swept horse racing's toughest test? 'Rock' jockey thinks 'Smarty' is Belmont-beatable Patrick Valenzuela nearly won the Triple Crown with Sunday Silence, and now the rider hopes to derail Smarty Jones' bid in the Belmont Stakes on June 5. 'Smarty' set for Speedy delivery Smarty Jones will have his final tuneup before the Belmont Stakes on Friday at Philadelphia Park. McNamara: Will 'Smarty' make an even dozen? Eddie Mac reviews the past 11 winners of the Triple Crown, and tell you where he thinks Smarty Jones would rank among them. Frankel puts 'Smarty' in elite company Trainer Bobby Frankel, who stopped Funny Cide's 2003 Triple Crown bid in the Belmont with Empire Maker, believes 'Smarty' may be as good as racing's greatest legends. McNamara: The Ballad of Smarty Jones Everyone seems to be singing the praises of the undefeated Smarty Jones these days, even Eddie Mac. Trainer made all the right moves with Smarty Jones The first month did not go well for trainer John Servis and his new colt, Smarty Jones. Elliott taking newfound success in stride Jockey Stewart Elliott is enjoying his time in the spotlight, even though the attention has revealed some dark moments from his past. Smarty Jones' training still going well The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner had another strong gallop Tuesday morning, with the undefeated colt going 1 7/8 miles on a closed track at Philadelphia Park. Finley: Smarty-mania in full swing The sights and sounds that Smarty-mania produced were extraordinary. With kids perched atop their shoulders, moms and dads feverishly clicked their cameras, trying to nab whatever bit of history that they could. Early Belmont odds: 'Smarty' 2-5 The current popularity of Smarty Jones can be measured in many ways, but in Las Vegas, most things are measured in cold, hard cash. Finley: 'Smarty' looks fit to wear Crown On June 5 at Belmont Park, there's going to be well more than 100,000 people in the stands. This time they're not going to go home disappointed. Vet helped put Smarty Jones back together Veterinarian Patty Hogan is the doctor who treated Smarty Jones last summer after the colt seriously injured himself when he reared up and hit his head in the starting gate at Philadelphia Park. Rice: Racing must patch things up with jockeys After a short legal battle, jockeys won the right to wear advertising in the Kentucky Derby. Now what? Pimlico sets ad rules Pimlico released rules on Tuesday that restrict advertising on jockeys. Rice: Smarty's connections in a class by themselves Even though Smarty Jones failed in his Triple Crown bid, his owners, trainer and jockey succeeded in displaying something not seen too much anymore in sports. It pays -- $5M, in fact -- to be 'Smarty' Another big payout for Pat and Roy Chapman came Monday when they received a $5 million Centennial Bonus check from Oaklawn Park for Smarty Jones' wins at the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby. Finley: The Derby had a need for speed The Kentucky Derby was run under some very unusual circumstances and now Smarty Jones has a little something more to prove in the Preakness. Oaklawn owner insured bonus two days before Derby Oaklawn Park's owner secured insurance of bonus two days before Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones an SI cover boy It's been more than 20 years since a Derby winner made the Sports Illustrated cover. 'Smarty' trainer sees no reason not to run Preakness John Servis now expects Smarty Jones to compete in the second leg of the Triple Crown. McNamara: Wisdom or more foolishness? Beyond all the glory and the elation over Smarty Jones, there were some people, like Eddie Mac, who weren't terribly happy. Plonk: One happy Derby, brother Jeremy tries to decide what he's most grateful for -- hitting the Derby winner or his narrow escape from the most annoying flight in the history of mankind. Derby-winning trainer is still a 'Philly guy' The morning after John Servis won the Kentucky Derby with Smarty Jones, the trainer was still having a hard time taking it all in. Quotes from the 130th Kentucky Derby Quotes from trainers, owners and jockeys in Saturday's Kentucky Derby: Finley: A jockey's greatest two minutes Who would believe it? A 39-year-old, Philly Park-based rider won Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Cronley: The best and worst of Derby TV On Derby Day, Jay wasn't at Churchill Downs. He was parked at home in front of his living-room television. Smarty Jones' owners always dared to dream Roy and Pat Chapman always wanted to win big races, so they named their stable Someday Farm. Kentucky Derby 130 results The official results and payoffs for the 130th Kentucky Derby. $5M kentuckyderby.com prize goes unclaimed No one became a multimillionaire in the Kentucky Derby $5 million Pay Day contest. But that doesn't mean there wasn't a winner. Finley: Stewart Elliott ready for the big one Perfect often isn't good enough, especially when it comes to an obscure rider from a small track who's never been tested in a race like the Kentucky Derby. Derby jockeys win right to wear ads Kentucky Derby jockeys will be allowed to wear advertising patches for the first time after a judge blocked a state rule that barred such sponsorship. McNamara: A smart play Trainer John Servis will try to win America's Race on his own terms with Smarty Jones on the first Saturday in May. Elliott a veteran first-time starter Stuart Elliott is a 38-year-old jockey who's never ridden in the Kentucky Derby. Thanks to Smarty Jones, that's about to change.

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