Not Yet, but Smarty Jones Will Retire in Kentucky

Smarty Jones, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and a loser only once in nine starts, will stand at stud at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky., when his racing career is over.

Roy and Patricia Chapman, who own the 3-year-old Elusive Quality colt, sold a half-interest to Three Chimneys for an undisclosed sum. Three Chimneys will syndicate its half of the Pennsylvania-bred, who could return in the $1-million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 8 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

According to the Daily Racing Form, bloodstock insiders say the deal puts Smarty Jones’ total value at about $48 million.

In its announcement of the deal, Three Chimneys said the Chapmans would continue to make all decisions regarding the colt’s future, including when he is retired.

The speculation has been that Smarty Jones, who finished second in the Belmont Stakes in his quest to become the first Triple Crown winner in 26 years, will run three or four more times in 2004, then be retired after the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park in Texas.