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Smarty Jones is ready to make history

Smarty Jones, bidding to become the first Triple Crown winner in more than 25 years, drew the outside number nine post position for today's Belmont Stakes.

The Pennsylvania-bred colt out of Elusive Quality was installed at the 2-5 morning line favorite.

"I am happy with the post," said Smarty Jones's trainer John Servis. "We can sit outside of horses and he doesn't have to worry about what is going on outside of him.

"He just has to worry about what is going on inside of him. He will be able to secure a position going into the first turn," he added.

With a win, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner would become the 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in 1978.

"I worked my whole life to be successful as a trainer," Servis said. "If you win the Triple Crown there is nothing that will stamp success on me more than that."

Purge, who has lost to Smarty Jones twice but captured the Grade II Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 22, is the second early line choice at 5-1.

If Smarty Jones wins the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, the chestnut colt will become US thoroughbred racing's all-time leading money winner.
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