Though it has nothing to do with Oregon racing, this is a nice AP article that will probably be found in papers today:
Suddenly, Smarty Jones is being mentioned in the same breath as Secretariat and Seabiscuit.
Though they have little in common as far as on-track performance, all three have managed to do one thing the same way:
Arrive on the scene as delicious diversions just when America was desperate for good news to offset bad times.
Read the article here.
And picked up from the Bloodhorse are these fabulous fan-letters to Smarty Jones from children:
"Dear Smarty Jones. Good luck at the Preakness. Smarty Jones, is it hard to see with a bumped eye? How are you? How munch races did you win?"
"We love you Smarty Jones. Make a movie like Seabiscuit."
"I am your number 1 fan. You ran as fast as a dog. My little sister likes you too."
"Congratulations, you ran fast on your last horse race. I can't believe how rich you are for a horse."
"Eat healthy horse food so you can stay strong."
"You are the best of them all. I know you can win. You just have to keep it up. You are our hero. I hope you win the Triple Crown."
"I like you. Were you scared when they started the race? I bet you were."
"Dear Smarty Jones, How are you doing? Did you like winning the Kentucky Derby race? Well, I got to go now. "Bye!"