Rendell roots for derby horse with resolution, bet

HARRISBURG (AP) -- Gov. Ed Rendell proclaimed Saturday as "Smarty Jones Day" in Pennsylvania and put his money where his mouth is by plunking down $20 to bet that the horse will win the Kentucky Derby.
"I encourage all citizens to cheer for this feisty little chestnut horse with the big heart on Derby Day," Rendell read from the proclamation while five grandchildren of the horse's owners, Roy and Pat Chapman, stood at his side.
Smarty Jones, who was born on the Chapmans' Someday Farm in Chester County, has a 6-for-6 record and could become the first unbeaten Kentucky Derby champion since Seattle Slew in 1977. To date, Pennsylvania has produced only one derby winner -- Lil E. Tee in 1992.
Rendell, who has pushed for the legalization of slot machines at racetracks to help bolster the racing industry and raise money for property-tax relief, said the industry pumps $10 billion a year into the state's economy.
"There'd be a lot more Smarty Joneses around if slots came in," predicted Larry Riviello, president of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, to whom Rendell handed his $20 bill.
Rendell said he bets only on the Triple Crown races -- the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes -- and that he has done well in the past by parlaying his winnings on the later races.
"If Smarty Jones wins the Triple Crown, I'll be a rich guy," he said.