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Smarty Jones moving back to Pennsylvania Champion and dual classic winner SMARTY JONES (Elusive Quality) will be relocated to Ghost Ridge Farm in Pennsylvania for the 2011 breeding season. The news was initially made public in an open letter to the fans of Smarty Jones on the website of Three Chimneys Farm, where Smarty Jones has stood since his retirement in 2004. The letter was signed by four individuals, including Three Chimneys owner Robert Clay and his son, Case, who serves as president. "It was a difficult decision to move the horse from Three Chimneys, especially considering his progeny's recent successes and Rogue Romance winning the Bourbon S. (G3), a 'Win and You're In” event for the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Turf [G2])," the letter stated. "The decision ultimately came down to what was in the best interest of Smarty and his stallion career. Much of the breeding interest in Smarty Jones in recent years has come from the East Coast and, having hailed from Pennsylvania, the Chapman family is eager to bring him home. The fact that it is in Smarty Jones' best interest and is what the Chapmans want gives us confidence that we're making the right decision." The letter went on to say that, "If the time comes that Smarty is either brought back to Kentucky or, down the road, needs a place to retire, we will of course welcome him back with open arms." Three Chimneys will host an open house on November 3, from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. (ET), when fans of Smarty Jones can bid him farewell before he is moved. Smarty Jones compiled a record of 9-8-1-0, $7,613,155. His only loss was in his last start when he was bidding for a Triple Crown sweep in the 2004 Belmont S. (G1), but the colt fell short by a length to Birdstone. At two, he won his debut by 7 3/4 lengths and the Pennsylvania Nursery S. by 15 lengths, both at Philadelphia Park. He then rattled off six wins to start his sophomore campaign, taking the Count Fleet S., Southwest S., Rebel S., Arkansas Derby (G2), Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) in succession. Smarty Jones was bred in Pennsylvania by the late Roy Chapman and his wife, Pat, and raced in their Someday Farm colors. He was trained throughout his career by John Servis and ridden by Stewart Elliott. In addition to Rogue Romance, Smarty Jones has also sired Grade 2 winner Backtalk and Japanese Group 3 winner Keiai Gerbera.
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