Smarty Jones Classic - Page 4

blackthroatedwind · #61 03-20-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

There are horse racing fans that exist now mainly because of the media explosion that Smarty Jones created during his TC try. I'm online or at the racebook at least once a week, and Smarty was the main catalyst to me becoming interested in the sport. I'm positive that I'm not the only one.

Well I am certainly glad to hear that. I hope that every nice horse that comes along entices more people to this great game. I would like nothing more than to be wrong in my belief that Smarty Jones did very little good for the game. I sincerely hope that you are the rule, and not the exception, for those that jammed Belmont in 2004. One thing is for sure....we need all the help and new fans we can get.

Best of luck.

robfla · #62 03-20-2007, 01:02 PM

cg - your kidding me right??

smarty was a very very good horse and a great story and got LOTS of people interested.

mes5107 · #63 03-20-2007, 01:05 PM

Cajun,

Is it that big of a stretch to say that I had my interest piqued by a horse going for the triple crown? I'm still a young buck, and he had been the biggest story in horseracing that somebody not involved with the sport would know about at the time.

By no means am I saying that he is the greatest of all time, but he did bring attention to the sport, and he should be honored by PA. Without him, they may not have that big, shiny, new casino.

#64 03-20-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

By no means am I saying that he is the greatest of all time, but he did bring attention to the sport, and he should be honored by PA. Without him, they may not have that big, shiny, new casino.

Ahahahahaahha!! What?!?!?!

blackthroatedwind · #65 03-20-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

Cajun,

Is it that big of a stretch to say that I had my interest piqued by a horse going for the triple crown? I'm still a young buck, and he had been the biggest story in horseracing that somebody not involved with the sport would know about at the time.

By no means am I saying that he is the greatest of all time, but he did bring attention to the sport, and he should be honored by PA. Without him, they may not have that big, shiny, new casino.

Well, while I am happy that he helped bring you on board, I can guarantee you he has NOTHING to do with slots being at Phili Park.

But, it's far more important if he created even one new fan, which he certainly seems to have.

Mortimer · #66 03-20-2007, 01:12 PM

There are horse racing fans that exist now mainly because of the media explosion that Smarty Jones created during his TC try. I'm online or at the racebook at least once a week, and Smarty was the main catalyst to me becoming interested in the sport. I'm positive that I'm not the only one.
---------------------------

Then you cough up the names of all the others.

I want them ALL.

mes5107 · #67 03-20-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Ahahahahaahha!! What?!?!?!

Ok, maybe not big, but shiny and new.

blackthroatedwind · #68 03-20-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mortimerdexterfoxworthy

Then you cough up the names of all the others.

I want them ALL.

That would be great.....and I could give them all your phone number.

Mortimer · #69 03-20-2007, 01:17 PM

Oh.

I forgot.

See ya 'round Captain.

mes5107 · #70 03-20-2007, 01:24 PM

I didn't realize that Smarty Jones gave horseracing such a black eye. I'm sure that some people make him out to be more than he was, and it probably gets a little tiresome to hear. However, Philly Park had been pushing for slots for quite some time without any luck, and then a lot of legislators changed their stances on keeping the track afloat right around the same time that Smarty Jones was hitting his stride. Perhaps it was a coincidence, I can't prove or disprove that.

blackthroatedwind · #71 03-20-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mes5107

I didn't realize that Smarty Jones gave horseracing such a black eye. I'm sure that some people make him out to be more than he was, and it probably gets a little tiresome to hear. However, Philly Park had been pushing for slots for quite some time without any luck, and then a lot of legislators changed their stances on keeping the track afloat right around the same time that Smarty Jones was hitting his stride. Perhaps it was a coincidence, I can't prove or disprove that.

I don't think he in any way gave racing a black eye, but he created quite a dychotomy among fans, in that the hysteria surrounding him created a lot of hype, and many long time racing fans simply never saw it.

He was a good horse, and his Preakness was terrific, but for some of us it gets tiresome being told things like " if you don't think Smarty Jones is great you don't know anything about horseracing. "

I saw a lot of good horses, and saw them prove it on the racetrack, and I will never apologize for excluding Smarty Jones from their elevated status. Hell, he wasn't even in Skip Away's league.

randallscott35 · #72 03-20-2007, 01:35 PM

Skippy!!!

zippyneedsawin · #73 03-20-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

So would I. But Ralph will have to do. Wonder if they are related? "Unsafe At Any Speed"---by Bill Nader --a journey into the mind of jockey Mike Smith

LOL!!!

randallscott35 · #74 03-20-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyneedsawin

LOL!!!

I wonder how many people got that and knew the original. A young board here, not sure how well read either.

slotdirt · #75 03-20-2007, 01:44 PM

My apologies for not knowing who Laz Barrerra was. I was one when he made his mark on the sport. And that still doesn't mean he's meant more to horse racing than Smarty Jones did. There is at least anecdotal evidence on this very board that Smarty Jones directly brought more fans to the game than Laz Barrerra ever did.

#76 03-20-2007, 01:45 PM

We will never forget!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZcK-A8gpI8

estreetposse · #77 03-20-2007, 01:49 PM

[quote=blackthroatedwind]Not to be overly critical, but if you don't know who Laz Barrerra was, I find it hard to even have a discussion that in any way involves the history of the game. You simply have a myopic view of the game that centers around one OK horse while ignoring the plentitude of players in this game that deserve at least as much attention....and in many cases more.

By the way, that attendance, while substantial, was phony.[/QUOTE]

Just curious, what was the attendance that year? I was at Belmont back in 2002 for the "SARAVA STAKES", Not a seat in the stands and not a blade of grass to be found to set up camp as there was 103,000+(if accurate). Luckily no one used the Budweiser tent with its 3 Big screens that day!!

randallscott35 · #78 03-20-2007, 01:51 PM

[quote=estreetposse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Not to be overly critical, but if you don't know who Laz Barrerra was, I find it hard to even have a discussion that in any way involves the history of the game. You simply have a myopic view of the game that centers around one OK horse while ignoring the plentitude of players in this game that deserve at least as much attention....and in many cases more.

By the way, that attendance, while substantial, was phony.[/QUOTE]

Just curious, what was the attendance that year? I was at Belmont back in 2002 for the "SARAVA STAKES", Not a seat in the stands and not a blade of grass to be found to set up camp as there was 103,000+(if accurate). Luckily no one used the Budweiser tent with its 3 Big screens that day!!

I think they called it 120,000 something.

blackthroatedwind · #79 03-20-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slotdirt

My apologies for not knowing who Laz Barrerra was. I was one when he made his mark on the sport. And that still doesn't mean he's meant more to horse racing than Smarty Jones did. There is at least anecdotal evidence on this very board that Smarty Jones directly brought more fans to the game than Laz Barrerra ever did.

It's not a question of apologizing, it just speaks volumes that you are championing Smarty Jones's supposed place in history, while having never heard of one of the most successful and big name trainers in recent history. The truth is this is exactly why the Smarty Jones hysteria is misplaced. It is being done primarily by people with little to no perspective on the game.

You like him, fine, but don't tell others he was great when you have never even heard of, much less seen compete, some of the truly good horses of even recent history. Nothing personal, but you aren't qualified.

slotdirt · #80 03-20-2007, 01:58 PM

Why was it phony though? I was there, and that place was f'ing packed.