Smarty to race in Philadelphia Derby

Smarty Jones will return to the races in front of a hometown crowd at Philadelphia Park.

Trainer John Servis made it official Friday: The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner has begun serious training for the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 6 — the 3-year-old colt’s first start since his Triple Crown bid fell short in the Belmont Stakes on June 5.

“We’re not in a hurry to make any race,” Servis said, “but he’s showing me he’s ready to work so we’ll start cranking him up. He’s right on target for the Pennsylvania Derby.”

Servis said Smarty Jones’ next workout will come in a week or so.

The decision eliminates the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on Aug. 8 from consideration, and sets the stage for the biggest day in Pennsylvania racing.

A record crowd of 30,000 is possible, says Philadelphia Park vice president of operations Joe Wilson. The current mark is the 28,692 who showed up for the 1983 Pennsylvania Derby. In May, nearly 10,000 showed up at the track just to watch Smarty gallop.