Breyer Model Race Horses

Rags to Riches, a chestnut American Thoroughbred filly, became Queen of the Sport of Kings on June 9, 2007 when she became only the third filly to win the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown and the longest, oldest race of the prestigious triad. It had been more than a century since Tanya™s victory in 1905 and since Ruthless first made history in 1867.

A stumble out of the gate did not bode well for Rags to Riches™ first romp against the males, but in 2:28.74, she clinched the title and left Preakness Stakes winner Curlin to settle for second.

Foaled February 27, 2004, Rags to Riches hails from a distinguished line of Thoroughbred racehorses. Her sire, A.P. Indy was the 1992 Belmont winner, U.S. Horse of the Year and a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame Inductee. His sire was the great Seattle Slew, the 1977 Triple Crown winner, and she is a half sister of 2006 Belmont winner, Jazil.

At the age of two in 2006, Rags to Riches started her racing career with trainer Todd Pletcher. After a fourth-place finish in a 5 ½-furlong race at Churchill Downs, it was decided that she would run better at longer distances. She returned in January of 2007 to win a maiden race by six lengths at Santa Anita Park in California and followed that up with three Grade 1 stakes wins.

Rags to Riches™ triumph on the second Saturday in June under the guidance of jockey John Velazquez marked Todd Pletchers first win of a Triple Crown race and made proud owners of Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Only 21 fillies before her ran in Belmont the last being Silverbulletday, who finished seventh in 1999.

#586  Smarty Jones

In the spring of 2004, among the million-dollar equine superstars of racing was a small chestnut colt named Smarty Jones. Undefeated in his first eight races, Smarty staked his claim as one of the greatest racehorses of our time by winning the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Foaled on February 28, 2001, Smarty shares his birthday with owner Patricia Chapman’s mother, Mildred McNair, nicknamed “Smarty Jones” by her grandparents. Eventually Smarty was sent to train with John Servis at Philadelphia Park, where he won his maiden race as a two-year-old, and continued his unbeaten streak into his three-year old season, racking up six consecutive victories before traveling to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby.

On May 1, 2004, Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Lexington, beating 18 of the best Thoroughbreds in the world. In 130 runnings, he is only the fifth unbeaten winner of the “Run for the Roses.” Only two weeks later, Smarty won the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico by a decisive 11 ½ lengths, the largest margin in Preakness history. Pressed by challenger after challenger in the Belmont, the brave little colt refused to relinquish his early lead and was overtaken in the last few furlongs of the race, ending his gallant effort to capture the Triple Crown. With his Derby win and Oaklawn Park Centennial Bonus, Smarty Jones earned the largest payoff ever for winning a race and vaulted to fourth on the all-time earners list. He captured the hearts of racing fans everywhere, with record crowds in attendance at Pimlico and Belmont to cheer him on.

$47.95