A thrilling win for common folk.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Edwin Pope

LOUISVILLE, Ky. _ Upsy-daisy, and hallelujah! The gutsy grinder from the wrong state with the wrong pedigree stood orthodoxy on its ear in Saturday's muck, and was this a lick for the little guys, or what?

Smarty Jones, of humble origins both genetic and geographical, came galloping through the slop to win a Kentucky Derby for Pennsylvania. Maybe he wasn't exactly thinking of his emphysema-ridden owner, but some unseen force had to be at work in turning one of the bleakest-looking Derbies into one of the most uproarious.

New York-bred Funny Cide did it last year, and now Pennsylvania. Kentucky hardboots must be thinking Armageddon. And the 39-year-old jockey riding his first Derby and winning it all. Power to the common folk.

``This horse was born in Pennsylvania, people!'' owner Roy Chapman said from his wheelchair in the winner's circle. ``He's from Philly!''

Here's one Philly athlete who won't get booed.

They can mock his pedigree. Smarty Jones was sired by Elusive Quality (who?). His mom is I'll Get Along (how's that?). Talk about outrunning a pedigree. All kinds of class bloodlines in all this mud, yet maybe only an old-timer named Noah could have changed the game when the drenched field turned for home and jock Stewart Elliott asked his horse the biggest question in racing.