Bensalem, Pa. ? Stewart Elliott had trouble describing how it felt to dart across the finish line aboard Smarty Jones in the Kentucky Derby.

“It’s something you have to experience to understand,” he said.

That’s where you lose most Philadelphia fans and athletes. They’re unaccustomed to feting champions — or being champions.

A city yearning for a title from its disappointing big-bankroll pro teams — Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, Flyers — now has a hero in an undefeated 3-year-old colt and his Philly-area jockey, trainer and owners.

“I knew that everybody in the city and all the fans that come here all the time, everybody, was really hoping this horse could win,” Elliott said Monday from Philadelphia Park — a trailer park compared to majestic Churchill Downs.

Suddenly, title-starved Philadelphia, where fans can be tougher than yesterday’s cheesesteak and crankier than Phillies manager Larry Bowa, has found love in the underdog.

Sure, there was “Rocky” and the Villanova men’s basketball team that won the national championship in 1985. But this has been the year of the little teams — and colts — that could.

First, it was tiny Saint Joseph’s that softened the blow of the Eagles’ third straight loss in the NFC title game. It captivated college basketball with a 27-0 start and a run to the tournament’s regional final.

Monday was just another day at the track for Elliott, who was back at work riding low-grade horses. He never considered taking the day off, even though there have been worse reasons for begging off than winning the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey Stewart Elliott, left, laughs with a racing fan at Philadelphia Park Racetrack. Elliott, who raced Monday in Bensalem, Pa., won the Kentucky Derby aboard Smarty Jones on Saturday.

“I have a lot of good customers, a lot of good people to ride for here,” he said. “It’s just back to my job. I had the day off yesterday.”

Smarty was expected to arrive at the park tonight, along with trainer John Servis. Owners Roy and Pat Chapman returned to their home in Florida instead of their Someday Farm in Chester County, Pa.

As he walked to the paddock, Elliott was greeted with applause from about 100 fans, many of whom were decorated with Smarty Jones hats, buttons and shirts.

Jockeys who’ve competed against Elliott for years also clapped and offered congratulations. Nearby, a “Good Luck Smarty Jones” banner needed updating.

After Elliott finished fourth aboard The Fat Man in his first race — he won one of seven races — a fan shouted, “We love you anyway, Stew!”

Track announcer and park spokesman Keith Jones shrugged. “So much for the storybook,” he said.