Smarty Jones Classic

[smuthg]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38075

I was kinda hoping that Oaklawn would rename the Southwest or the Rebel for him, but glad to see this...

[blackthroatedwind]

Out of curiosity, why would Oaklawn rename any stake after Smarty Jones?

[Mortimer]

Blech.






I always hated that name.

It sounds like some bumbling espionage agent .

[slotdirt]

Well, it's about TIME they named a race after Willy Wank.

[dr. fager]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Out of curiosity, why would Oaklawn rename any stake after Smarty Jones?

Good point, they're probably pretty upset he took that 5 million dollar bonus they hoped nobody won....LOL

[randallscott35]

This naming races thing has to stop. The Zippy Chippy Classic can't be far off. (No offense to Smarty)

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

This naming races thing has to stop. The Zippy Chippy Classic can't be far off. (No offense to Smarty)

Hey! I'm going to suggest that to Finger Lakes right now!

[slotdirt]

I don't know, I don't have a problem naming races after the sport's stalwarts. I don't know about calling it a classic though. What's so classic about a race being run for the first time?

Anywho, if there is a stakes race in the USA named for Shecky Greene, why not name one for Smarty Jones?

[randallscott35]

Horses like Four Star Dave should get a races named after them. Unique horses with unique careers.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

This naming races thing has to stop. The Zippy Chippy Classic can't be far off. (No offense to Smarty)

At least Zippy Chippy has humorous overtones and God knows the game can use all the fun it can get.

But, I totally agree with you. There is such a disconnect between the past and present, at least on message boards, and without an understanding of the history of the game you can't possibly understand the relative merits of the recent supposed stars.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Horses like Four Star Dave should get a races named after them. Unique horses with unique careers.

Fourstardave does have a race named after him at Saratoga. It used to be on the Travers undercard but now runs towards the beginning of the meet. Sunday, August 5th is the date this year.

NT

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Fourstardave does have a race named after him at Saratoga. It used to be on the Travers undercard but now runs towards the beginning of the meet. Sunday, August 5th is the date this year.

NT

Yes, that was my point.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Fourstardave does have a race named after him at Saratoga. It used to be on the Travers undercard but now runs towards the beginning of the meet. Sunday, August 5th is the date this year.

NT

Well, the Fourstardave used to be known as the Daryl's Joy, and considering Fourstardave's Saratoga connection that was a change that seemed more than fair ( though, of course, I never liked him ).

[slotdirt]

Fourstardave does have a race named after him.

The bigger problem I have is when a race named after an all-time great like Sir Barton is changed.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Fourstardave does have a race named after him.

The bigger problem I have is when a race named after an all-time great like Sir Barton is changed.

Where am I? Slot, that's why I used him as an example.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Well, the Fourstardave used to be known as the Daryl's Joy, and considering Fourstardave's Saratoga connection that was a change that seemed more than fair ( though, of course, I never liked him ).

I did. He moved so pretty with such fluidity to his stride. LMAO

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Where am I? Slot, that's why I used him as an example.

I had to read it again to get where you were coming from.

[randallscott35]

I don't think Cigar should have that race named after him.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Fourstardave does have a race named after him.

The bigger problem I have is when a race named after an all-time great like Sir Barton is changed.

While I really don't care in the great scheme of things I happen to agree with you. To change the Sir Barton to the Barbaro was pandering IMO.

On the other hand, it could be argued that it a reasonable updating to appeal to new fans. However, I think it is a shame that racing has done such a poor job of remembering its history and attempting to find some way to educate fans about it. Seabiscuit is far from the only interesting story out there about racing history.

[slotdirt]

I think the Cigar Mile is a great name for the race. I also don't mind that there's a Shecky Greene Stakes run for like $40k each year even though most of today's racing fans have any idea who Shecky Greene is or was, at least the horse that is.

What am I saying? If some HBPA or track or Jockey Club wants to name a stakes race after a horse, then so be it. It's their prerogative.