'We never thought we would race at this level until we met Smarty.'ДЎ. 'I didn't ever think we would be here,' said 77-year-old Roy Chapman, who watched the race from his wheelchair attached to an oxygen tank. Fully recovered, Smarty Jones has taken on a Seabiscuit aura with unheralded Servis and little-known Elliott making their first trips to the Derby.

The Chapmans, however, decided to keep Smarty Jones but last year nearly lost the horse when he reared up in a starting gate, driving a steel bar into his skull and badly injuring an eye. Distraught over the murder of trainer Bobby Camac and his wife soon after the horse's birth, owners the Chapmans almost sold the small chestnut colt along with the rest of the Someday Farms. Two hours before post-time the first of string of violent thunderstorms rolled into Louisville, turning the track into a muddy quagmire.ДЇor the 140,000 soaked spectators Smarty Jones's win was a heart-warming victory for the little guy. 'When they turned for home I saw Lion Heart dig in as he does but when they were going head-to-head I could tell Stewart hadn't asked him yet and it felt good.' 'That was a masterful ride,' said trainer John Servis, who like Elliott was celebrating a Derby victory on his first try. The Cliff's Edge had been installed as the morning line best but by the time the horses broke Smarty Jones was the bettors' choice at 4-1.Д®lliott stalked Lion Heart on the rail for much of the race but as they approached the final turn Smarty Jones moved up to challenge the leader and then with familiar authority powered away down the home stretch. 'He broke good and when we got clear on down the backstretch and he moved outside Lion Heart he got the bit between his teeth and I knew he was going to be dangerous.'Д®ven as the quality 18-horse field was being loaded into the gates, punters could not decide on a favorite. 'I was just taking my time, I knew I had a loaded gun,' said Stewart, the first jockey since Ron Franklin in 1979 to win the Derby on his first attempt.

Smarty Jones becomes the first unbeaten Derby winner since Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew in 1977 and will now look to extend his winning run at the Preakness on May 15. Now unbeaten in seven career races, Smarty Jones collects a winner's purse of $850,000 and a $5 million bonus for owners Roy and Patricia Chapman for adding a Kentucky Derby victory to wins in the Arkansas Derby and Oaklawn Park's Rebel Stakes. Third place, three and a quarter lengths away went to Imperialism, ridden by Kent Desormeaux. The pair pulled away in decisive fashion on a sloppy track in the home stretch to capture the 130th Run for the Roses by two and three quarter lengths from Lion Heart, the mount of Mike Smith. The undersized colt, virtually blind in one-eye from a career-threatening accident, got a perfect ride from Stewart Elliott over the 1 1/4 mile test. Smarty Jones' trainer John Servis, owners Pat and Roy Chapman and jockey Stewart Elliott celebrate with the winner's trophy. Smarty Jones won a wet and wild Kentucky Derby Saturday, claiming a $5 million bonus and the first jewel in US horse racing's Triple Crown.

Smarty jones