LOUISVILLE, Kan., May 1 (UPI) -- Smarty Jones became the first unbeaten horse to win the Kentucky Derby in 27 years Saturday, passing Lion Heart in the first leg of the Triple Crown.
A Pennsylvania-bred with Stewart Elliott aboard, Smarty Jones has won all seven of his races and became the first unbeaten horse to win the Derby since Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew in 1977.
A severe thunderstorm swept through Churchill Downs about two hours before post time, leaving the first sloppy track for a Kentucky Derby since 1994.
Smarty Jones was right at home in the mud, covering the 1 1/4 mile race in 2 minutes, 4 seconds.
After winning two Oaklawn preps, the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby, Smarty Jones will cash in on a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn for completing the sweep. That is in addition to the winning share of $854,800.
Lion Heart was second and Imperialism third.
