Bred in Maryland by Jim and Eleanor Ryan and raced under their Ryehill Farm banner, he had a record of 27: 11-8-2 with career earnings of $716,426.
In his sophomore year of 1979, Smarten, trainer Woody Stephens and jockey Sam Maple teamed up to accomplish accolades that connections of any colt would be proud of.
Also, six graded stakes runner-up finishes - in a row - Travers, Secretariat, Lawrence Realization, Rutgers Handicap, Meadowlands Cup, Discovery.
Stephens intentionally avoided hooking up with that year's super horse Spectacular Bid in the Triple Crown races.
He had a great stretch run placing in the grade one Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course finishing second.