HORSE RACING Jockey Elliott has confidence in Smarty Jones for Belmont

If the colt runs like he did in the Preakness, he should win the Triple Crown.
BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) -- Stewart Elliott knows horse racing can be fickle.
Still, the 39-year-old jockey has plenty of confidence in Smarty Jones heading into the Belmont Stakes.
"If Smarty Jones performs like he did in the Preakness, he'll be awfully tough," Elliott said Monday at Philadelphia Park.
Smarty Jones won the Preakness by a record 111/2 lengths to set the stage for a dramatic Triple Crown try at Belmont in three weeks. The undefeated chestnut colt will be heavily favored to become the 12th Triple Crown champion and first since Affirmed in 1978.
Back on home turf
While Smarty Jones and trainer John Servis stayed out of the public eye Monday, Elliott was back on his home turf riding cheap mounts and signing autographs for fans.
The attention has overwhelmed Elliott at times, but he's taking his newfound success in stride. He received a nice ovation as he walked down to the paddock, where about 100 fans had their pens and cameras ready.
It was just another crazy day for Elliott, who had to balance talking about horse racing's story of the year with questions about his alcohol-fueled past -- which includes pleading guilty to hitting his then-girlfriend in July 2001 and to beating up a friend two months later.
"You've constantly got somebody at you," Elliott said. "I just handle it. I tell you one thing, when I get home and close the doors and turn off the phones it feels good."
Another thing that felt good? That steak he allowed himself to gorge on after Saturday's win.
That undoubtedly tasted better than Smarty Jones' typical fare of an oat bran mash.
Likely return Wednesday
Smarty took a 30-minute walk around the barn area Monday and was in good spirits, according to assistant trainer Maureen Donnelly. The horse took it easy today and will likely hit the track for the first time since the Preakness on Wednesday.
"He came out and ate everything," Donnelly said. "The race didn't seem to take anything out of him."
The short ride from Baltimore to Bensalem also helped the colt. After the Kentucky Derby win, Smarty Jones was flown to Baltimore, then loaded onto a trailer for the trip back to Philadelphia Park.
Rest
The rest should help Smarty Jones, whose dominance in the Preakness surprised even Elliott.
"I thought we could win, but I had no idea that he would win the way that he did," Elliott said. "He's really come along strong."
Elliott said the colt always kept his cool and knows what to do on the track. When Smarty Jones was splashed in the face with mud early into the Preakness, he never slowed down.
"A lot of horses have that happen to them and right away they're in the back," Elliott said. "He's a professional. Nothing fazes him."