Trainer John Servis

Born: November 25, 1958 Resides: Bensalem, Pennsylvania  Family: Sherry, wife; Blaine and Tyler, sons

Servis has one division at Oaklawn, another at Philadelphia Park. This Arkansas 12-head division is headed by the three-year-old Supreme Orient, a candidate for the Rebel and Arkansas Derby.

Servis moved to racing’s center stage four years ago when he developed Smarty Jones to sweep the Southwest, Rebel and Arkansas Derby then took the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. His colt won a $5,000,000 bonus, just missed the American Triple Crown, all the while touching off a media frenzy.

Servis was later named the 2004 winner of the Big Sport of Turfdom Award by the Turf Publicists of America.

He returned to Oaklawn in 2005, his stable headed by Rockport Harbor and the Fantasy winner, Round Pond.

Servis had been this way before. “I brought a filly in for the Apple Blossom, several years ago. We didn’t fare well, but I liked the town and promised myself, we’d be back,” John remembers.

“There is a lot of purse money available to three-year-olds at Oaklawn,” said Servis.“The word is out. If you have a nice three-year-old, take him to Arkansas.”

Born and raised in Charles Town, West Virginia, Servis worked for Hall of Fame trainer Scotty Schulhofer before venturing out on his own in 1984.