Smarten
Encyclopedia
Smarten was an American Thoroughbred
racehorse and successful sire. Bred in Maryland
by Jim and Eleanor Ryan and raced under their Ryehill Farm banner, he had a record of 27: 11-8-2 with career earnings of $
716,426.
In his two year old season he won four of five races that included a maiden win, an allowance win and two stakes wins. He won the City of Miami Handicap a stakes race for two year-olds at Calder Race Course
. Smarten also won the Senatorial Stakes at Laurel Park Racecourse in the winter of 1978.
and jockey Sam Maple
teamed up to accomplish accolades that connections of any colt would be proud of. Smarten placed in the top three in 15 of 17 races in one year including six graded stakes wins - Woodlawn, Illinois Derby, Pennsylvania Derby, Ohio Derby, American Derby, Marylander in a row! Also, six graded stakes runner-up finishes - in a row - Travers, Secretariat, Lawrence Realization, Rutgers, Meadowlands Cup, Discovery. Maple rode Smarten to wins in four grade two Derbys, capturing the Illinois
, the Pennsylvania Derby
, the American
and the Ohio
while placing a close second by a head in the grade two Arkansas Derby
.
His trainer was meticulous about planning and picking the right spots for his colt. Stephens intentionally avoided hooking up with that year's super horse Spectacular Bid
in the Triple Crown races. He was quoted as saying, "why run in a race for place money when I can run in a race and win the lion's share of a $150,000 purse.
Smarten also won the grade three Marylander Handicap at Bowie Race Course and the grade three Woodlawn Stakes
on the turf at Pimlico Race Course
at age three. He had a great stretch run placing in the grade one Travers Stakes
at Saratoga Race Course
finishing second. Other second place finishes in his three year old season were the grade two Meadowlands Cup, the grade two Arkansas Derby
, the grade one Secretariat Stakes
on the turf at Arlington Park
, the grade three Rutgers Handicap, and two grade two stakes races at Aqueduct Racetrack
in the Lawrence Realization Stakes
and the Discovery Handicap
. He concluded his career with a third-place finish in the Jockey Hollow Handicap at the Meadowlands Race Track.
, a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
inductee and dam of U.S. and Canadian Hall of Fame filly, Dance Smartly
, and of the outstanding sire, Smart Strike
. Smarten died March 31, 2003
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse and successful sire. Bred in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
by Jim and Eleanor Ryan and raced under their Ryehill Farm banner, he had a record of 27: 11-8-2 with career earnings of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
716,426.
Early career
Smarten was a versatile horse that won in route races and won sprint, he won on the dirt and won on the turf. Smarten was also a very consistent colt that performed well and gave his all in every outing. His winning percentage of 11 out of 27 of 41% is exceptional, but his in-the-money percentage of 22 of 27 lifetime towers over all but the greatest of thoroughbreds racing over two dozen times at an incredible 81%.In his two year old season he won four of five races that included a maiden win, an allowance win and two stakes wins. He won the City of Miami Handicap a stakes race for two year-olds at Calder Race Course
Calder Race Course
Calder Casino & Race Course is a casino and horse racetrack in Miami Gardens, Florida in the United States.-History:In the mid-1960s, real estate developer Stephen A. Calder envisioned summertime racing in Florida; in 1965, on the advice of Mr. Calder, the Florida Legislature approved a bill...
. Smarten also won the Senatorial Stakes at Laurel Park Racecourse in the winter of 1978.
Three year-old season
In his sophomore year of 1979, Smarten, trainer Woody StephensWoody Stephens
Woody Stephens was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer.Born Woodford Cefis Stephens in Stanton, Kentucky, his younger brother William Ward Stephens also became a successful trainer. Woody Stephens first started in racing as a jockey at age 16 but within a few years switched...
and jockey Sam Maple
Sam Maple
Samuel A. Maple was an American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.Born in Carrollton, Ohio, Sam Maple was one of eight brothers and sisters. His older brother, Eddie, was also a jockey...
teamed up to accomplish accolades that connections of any colt would be proud of. Smarten placed in the top three in 15 of 17 races in one year including six graded stakes wins - Woodlawn, Illinois Derby, Pennsylvania Derby, Ohio Derby, American Derby, Marylander in a row! Also, six graded stakes runner-up finishes - in a row - Travers, Secretariat, Lawrence Realization, Rutgers, Meadowlands Cup, Discovery. Maple rode Smarten to wins in four grade two Derbys, capturing the Illinois
Illinois Derby
The Illinois Derby is a race for Thoroughbred horses held in early April each year. First run in 1923, the Derby takes place at Hawthorne Race Course located in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, just west of Chicago...
, the Pennsylvania Derby
Pennsylvania Derby
The Pennsylvania Derby is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Parx Racing and Casino each year. The track's premiere event is open to horses, age three, willing to race on the dirt and as of 2007, offers a purse of $1 million...
, the American
American Derby
The American Derby is a Thoroughbred horse race in the United States run annually at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The inaugural American Derby was held at the city's old Washington Park race track and raced there until 1905 when the facility was closed and the track demolished....
and the Ohio
Ohio Derby
The Ohio Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early June at Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio.The Grade III Stakes race for three-year-olds is run on dirt over a distance of 1 and 1/16 miles....
while placing a close second by a head in the grade two Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
.
His trainer was meticulous about planning and picking the right spots for his colt. Stephens intentionally avoided hooking up with that year's super horse Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid was an American Thoroughbred race horse. "The Bid" as he was known was one of the most dominant gallopers of his time...
in the Triple Crown races. He was quoted as saying, "why run in a race for place money when I can run in a race and win the lion's share of a $150,000 purse.
Smarten also won the grade three Marylander Handicap at Bowie Race Course and the grade three Woodlawn Stakes
Woodlawn Stakes
The James W. Murphy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to three-year-old horses, it is contested over a distance of one mile on turf....
on the turf at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
at age three. He had a great stretch run placing in the grade one Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
finishing second. Other second place finishes in his three year old season were the grade two Meadowlands Cup, the grade two Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
, the grade one Secretariat Stakes
Secretariat Stakes
The Secretariat Stakes is a Grade 1 flat horse race in the United States for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1¼ miles . Held annually in mid August, it is the brother of both the Arlington Million and the Beverly D...
on the turf at Arlington Park
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area...
, the grade three Rutgers Handicap, and two grade two stakes races at Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
in the Lawrence Realization Stakes
Lawrence Realization Stakes
The Lawrence Realization Stakes was an American horse race first run on the turf in 1889. The race, for three-year-old Thoroughbred colts, geldings and fillies, was last run in 2005.-History:...
and the Discovery Handicap
Discovery Handicap
The Discovery Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the latter part of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York...
. He concluded his career with a third-place finish in the Jockey Hollow Handicap at the Meadowlands Race Track.
Retirement
As a sire, Smarten notably produced Classy 'n SmartClassy 'n Smart
Classy 'n Smart was a Canadian Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by Sam-Son Farm, she made nine career starts, winning five and running second in three others. Although she was voted the 1984 Canadian Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, her true legacy is as a Champion broodmare....
, a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness and thoroughbred horse racing in Canada....
inductee and dam of U.S. and Canadian Hall of Fame filly, Dance Smartly
Dance Smartly
Dance Smartly was a Champion Thoroughbred Canadian and U.S. Hall of Fame racemare who went undefeated in 1991 while winning the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and becoming the first horse bred in Canada to ever win a Breeders' Cup race.Bred in Ontario by Sam-Son Farm, the bay mare...
, and of the outstanding sire, Smart Strike
Smart Strike
Smart Strike is a Canadian Thoroughbred racehorse. The son of the Champion sire, Mr. Prospector, and out of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame mare Classy 'n Smart, Smart Strike is a half-brother to 1991 Canadian Triple Crown champion Dance Smartly.Owned and bred by Sam-Son Farm, on the...
. Smarten died March 31, 2003