Sunday, June 06, 2004


Yahoo! News - Smarty Jones Foiled in Triple Crown Bid
ELMONT, New York (Reuters) - Birdstone used an explosive stretch drive Saturday to capture the $1 million Belmont Stakes and ruin Smarty Jones's attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner in more than 25 years.

Ridden by Edgar Prado, 36-to-1 longshot Birdstone caught race leader Smarty Jones inside the sixteenth pole and won going away, giving trainer Nick Zito his first Belmont Stakes victory.

"I feel a little bad," said Prado, who won the Belmont in 2002 aboard Medaglia d'Oro.

Birdstone, who finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby, paid $74 for a $2 win ticket. The son of Grindstone paid $14 to place and $8.60 to show.

Sure wish I'd had some money on Birdstone.