Bradley Martin’s homebred Smart’s Kingdom has been named the 2019 Texas Champion Claimer by the Texas Thoroughbred Association. The 5-year-old gelding by Sir Smart was the winner of an online vote on the TTA website among Texas-breds with at least three claiming wins at Texas tracks and earnings of at least $20,000 in 2019.
Smart’s Kingdom, who was trained by Leroy Pollok, started the year as a maiden but broke through with his first victory with a 13 ¾-length score against $8,000 maiden claiming company at Sam Houston Race Park in March. He went on to capture two claiming races at the Lone Star Park meet, first against $7,500 company and then against $15,000 foes. All told, he compiled a record of 6-3-1-1 in 2019 with earnings of $21,209.
Smart’s Kingdom will be honored with the rest of the Texas champions during the TTA’s annual meeting and awards banquet on March 21 at Sam Houston.
The other candidates were Glitter Bright, Seven Violets, Silas, True Allegiance and Valid Thor.