LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Make it two in a row for the people's choice at the Kentucky Derby (search).



Smarty Jones (search) splashed his way past Lion Heart in the stretch and won America's premier horse race Saturday a year after Funny Cide captured the fancy of the racing world.

The victory triggered the biggest payoff in the game, with the undefeated Smarty Jones earning a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park along with the Derby winner's share of $854,800.

Smarty Jones ran his record to 7-for-7 and became the first unbeaten Derby winner since Seattle Slew (search) in 1977. Seattle Slew went on to win the Triple Crown, a feat Smarty Jones will attempt when he heads to the Preakness in two weeks.

Even over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs (search) — the first in 10 years — Smarty Jones raced just behind pace-setter Lion Heart. As the 18-horse field came off the final turn, the smallish colt moved up to challenge for the lead. Under Derby rookie Stewart Elliott, Smarty Jones staged his patented stretch surge and pulled away for the win.

"Man, that was great," winning trainer John Servis exclaimed after his first Derby. "That was a beautiful race. Picture perfect."

Servis and Stewart, a pair of Philadelphia Park regulars, became the first trainer-jockey duo to win the Derby on their first try since Spectacular Bid won in 1979 for trainer Bud Delp and jockey Rodney Franklin.

In the stands, Chapman got out of his wheelchair and shouted, "I can't believe it!" as he received hugs from Servis, friends and relatives. Chapman, hooked up to an oxygen tank because of his emphysema, then sat back down, taking deep breaths to calm himself, but smiling the whole time.



Horse Jockey Weight Win Place Show
15 Smarty Jones Elliott S 126 10.20 6.20 4.80
3 Lion Heart Smith M E 126 8.20 5.80
10 Imperialism Desormeaux K J 126 6.20
Finish Time: 2:04.06

Scratched: St Averil and Wimbledon
Also ran: Limehouse, The Cliff's Edge, Action This Day, Read the Footnotes, Birdstone, Tapit, Borrego, Song of the Sword, Master David, Pro Prado, Castledale (IRE), Friends Lake, Minister Eric, Pollard's Vision and Quintons Gold Rush
Winning Trainer: Servis John C - Owner: Someday Farm
$2 Exacta (15-3) Paid $65.20
$2 Trifecta (15-3-10) Paid $987.60
$2 Superfecta (15-3-10-1) Paid $41,380.20
$2 Pick 3 (5-10-5/9/15) 3 Correct Paid $1,470.80 Pick 3 Pool $987,799

$2 Pick 4 (2-5-10-5/9/15) 4 Correct Paid $38,594.20 Pick 4 Pool $2,130,894

$2 Pick 6 (1-1/3/7-2-5-10-5/9/15) 5 Correct Paid $6,878.00 Pick 6 Pool $441,558 Carryover Pool $268,246

$2 Daily Double (10-15) Paid $103.60 Daily Double Pool $615,859

$2 Daily Double (OAKS/DERBY (1-15)) Paid $60.20 Daily Double Pool $2,038,878

$2 Future Wager (POOL 3 (17)) Paid $23.60
$2 Future Wager (POOL 2 (24)) Paid $10.80
$2 Future Wager (POOL 1 (24)) Paid $5.60
























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[ This Message was edited by: TheAvenger on 2004-05-02 09:43 ]