# Shuld the other horses even bother going to Belmont? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 16, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363 "2004-05-16T02:14:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/1 "2004-05-16T02:14:22Z")
The Preakness was one of the funniest races I have seen! Smarty Jones was this close to being pushed over the outside rail on the first turn, yet he still managed to win by almost 12 lengths. How–how can someone stop him? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/2 "2004-05-16T02:15:24Z")
> [@capacitor](#): > > how can someone stop him? Baton to the kneecaps? Do horses have kneecaps? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/3 "2004-05-16T02:23:51Z")
Well, Smarty’s not the first horse to run away with the Preakness after winning the Derby only to come up short at Belmont. In fact, didn’t that happen just last year? So I’d say it’s well worthwhile for others to show up. That said, that’s a damn fine horse there, and I’ve got a feeling he might actually pull the Triple Crown off. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/4 "2004-05-16T02:25:18Z")
I doubt that there’d be enough ketamine at a Phish concert to do the trick. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/5 "2004-05-16T03:05:27Z")
Some of the other jocks seem to have given up. “Maybe my horse was born in the wrong year,” is pretty funny. Smarty looks just like my daughter’s horse, who is a descendant of War Admiral. I wouldn’t particularly want to race him against Smarty though . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/6 "2004-05-16T13:25:22Z")
Wow. He just walked over the rest of the field. I was screaming at my television and jumping up at down at the finish. I should really go apologize to my neighbors. Last year I really wanted Funny Cide to win the Triple Crown, but for some reason I never had the “we’re in the presence of greatness” feeling I get with Smarty. I love that horse. The way his ears were pricked at the end of the race and he didn’t even seem that winded–he’s just awesome. I do hope other good horses go to the Belmont. I want him to win the Triple Crown, but only if he beats a good field. But why is this thread in the pit? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/7 "2004-05-16T13:38:50Z")
I’m not into horse racing much at all but the Preakness was on the tube and I watched. I have a few questions for those in the know: Rock Hard Ten really, _really_ didn’t want to go into that little starter stall. And then somebody came and boxed his ears. At least that’s what it looked like to me (You get in that stall this instant young horse!). Does anybody know how they got the horse in the stall? Does the horse not wanting to get into the stall indicate an unwillingness to race? Smarty Jones just dusted those other horses. That race was exciting! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/8 "2004-05-16T13:43:11Z")
I like horses and all, but why is this in the Pit? Surely not because deep down inside, I’m a horse-crazy 12 year old girl? Lynn ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/9 "2004-05-16T13:58:07Z")
**Biggirl,** They grabbed his ear to get him into the starting block. I’m not really sure why they do it, but I’ve seen folks at the track grab (and sometimes give a little twist to) a horse’s ear when he’s reluctant to go into the gate or allow them to put his bridle on. I’m not really sure why it works. My theory is it just gives the horse something to think about other than that big scarey gate they have to go into. Reluctance to enter the gate can mean a horse doesn’t want to race. But more often it just means they don’t want to go into the gate itself. Gates aren’t all that appealing to horses. They’re kind of cramped, kind of scarey looking, often have spooky shadows–not something prey animals often willingly go into. Most of the time, a horse that has problems loading is put into the gate first so all the others don’t have to wait while they struggle with the reluctant one. This wasn’t the case with Rock Hard Ten, so I guess he probably hasn’t had many problems loading before (I haven’t followed racing much this year so I’m not certain of that–it’s just a guess). We’ll see what they do at the Belmont if he goes. They finally loaded Ten by having Gary Stevens (his jockey) dismount, they grabbed his ear, and a bunch of them wrapped their arms behind his but and then pushed/pulled him in. then the jockey remounted once the horse was in the gate. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/10 "2004-05-16T14:45:08Z")
Ok, here’s a rant – what’s with all the STUPID NAMES horses get these days? I mean, come on…“Smarty Jones” sounds like a bad movie starring Ben Affleck and John Travolta. “Lion Heart” sounds like they let their 8-year-old daughter pick a name. “Borrego” sounds like an SUV. “Song of the Sword” would be cool for fantasy geeks like me, if it weren’t so damned cliche. “Little Math Man” makes no sense at all. “Sir Shackleton” sounds like an English Duke with pervy S&M tendencies (and don’t get me started on “Rock Hard Ten”…) I think any horse eligible for the Triple Crown must have a cool name first. Secretariat…Spectacular Bid. _Those_ are horse names, not Smartypants Jones. If he takes the Belmont, they should force him to choose a new name – such as Doctor Footwear. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/11 "2004-05-16T15:08:23Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > Ok, here’s a rant – what’s with all the STUPID NAMES horses get these days? Part of the problem is that - like the SDMB - names cannot be reused. All the good ones are taken. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/12 "2004-05-16T16:39:58Z")
I cannot believe I missed watching that race yesterday! My fondest horse racing memory (and one of my few, since I don’t generally watch horse races) is Secretariat leaving the rest of the field so far behind the camera couldn’t even include them in the same shot. It looks like Smartypants Jones did the same thing yesterday. I just hope somebody reruns it or puts it up online so I can watch the whole race! ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/13 "2004-05-16T20:34:12Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > Ok, here’s a rant – what’s with all the STUPID NAMES horses get these days? I mean, come on…“Smarty Jones” sounds like a bad movie starring Ben Affleck and John Travolta. Tell that to the owner. Smarty Jones was the nickname/maiden name of his Grandmother. I dunno why they named a colt after a grandmother, but there you have it. DD ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/14 "2004-05-16T20:41:46Z")
Maybe she was horse-faced. Six of the last eight years, the horse that won the Kentucky Derby won the Preakness, and none of them won Belmont. So… ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/15 "2004-05-16T22:48:47Z")
As they come out of the turn, it’s Sufferin’ Succotash by a neck over Yabba-Dabba-Doo, two lengths back Ooh Ain’t I a Stinker and That’s All Folks. I Yam What I Yam can see them all, but here comes Don’t Have a Cow flying on the outside, and coming down to the wire, it’s all Don’t Have a Cow! ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/16 "2004-05-16T22:54:37Z")
**KGS** Here - [Thoroughbred Horse Naming Rules and Requirements](http://horseracing.about.com/library/weekly/aa010102a.htm) - gives you a little bit of info (and if you follow the links, more info) on horse naming. We’ve (my husband and I) have found in a lot of cases, the name also depends on the parentage of the horse. If you want to talk more in detail about this kind of stuff, let me know - my husband (who is something of an expert) and I would be happy to talk handicapping, lineage, etc. with you - but I know no one else wants to hear it, so email me if you want to talk further. My opinion on this race and Smarty Jones? Ain’t gonna go there. My opinion on Triple Crown? Not going there, either. Besides, no one cares, I’m no expert, and I make my living in a real job. REALLY! It’s a real job! So is Mr2U’s! Real Jobs! However, we’re still, after eight years, playing with the track’s money, not ours. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/17 "2004-05-16T23:01:37Z")
About halfway down this article is an explanation of how Smarty Jones got his name (warning: this article is extremely sappy). [pre-derby article](http://www.courier-journal.com/cjsports/news2004/04/28/E1-smart0428-13814.html) Apparently, he was born on the same day as his owner’s mother whose nickname was “Smarty Jones.” There are some bizarre names out there. My horse is an OTTB whose name was originally “Sister Grew.” I could think of no rhyme or reason behind that name, but I later learned that there was a horsewoman in NC with that name. I believe (though I can’t find evidence) that there have been TBs named “isitinyet” and “hoofhearted.” ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/18 "2004-05-16T23:34:51Z")
**MaddyStrut** > [@](#): > > I believe (though I can’t find evidence) that there have been TBs named “isitinyet” and “hoofhearted.” **Isitinyet** and some other amusing horse names can be found here [http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/columnists/maryjean\_wall/8296092.htm](http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/columnists/maryjean_wall/8296092.htm) **Hoof Hearted** [Thoroughbred Horse Naming Rules and Requirements](http://horseracing.about.com/library/weekly/aa010102a.htm) God, I love this sport! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/19 "2004-05-17T02:57:05Z")
As for the name of the one horse, Borrego, I heard commentary on TV that it means “horns” in Spanish. Apparently the Borrego has a couple of calcium deposits on his head, above his eyes, that gave him the name. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363/20 "2004-05-17T03:42:22Z")
It’s worth remembering that Smary’s time was two seconds off the track record. His Derby time was not the best either. (Of course otoh, both tracks were pretty heavy on the race day too.) He laughed all over this field but he’s not necessarily unbeatable. What impresses me about him is his attitude throughout it all, not his speed so much. That said, on the often difficult Belmont track against this field in this year … I’m too superstitious to say what I think the outcome will be. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shuld-the-other-horses-even-bother-going-to-belmont/245363.md?page=2)