‘Big Money Mike’ becomes second-oldest winning jockey

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mike Smith's clean white and green silks were the most obvious indicator of how well the Kentucky Derby went for the Hall of Fame jockey aboard Justify.

Staying nearly spotless wasn't easy in pelting rain and on a muddy, crowded track. But Smith got Justify near the lead at the start and left the other horses to deal with the muck as the pair splashed to a 2½-length victory Saturday in the 144th Run for the Roses. It was the second Derby victory for Smith, who helped Justify improve to 4-0 and become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win without racing as a 2year-old.

The 52-year-old Smith, known as “Big Money Mike” for his performance in big races, is the second-oldest Derby winner behind Bill Shoemaker, who rode Ferdinand to victory in 1986 at age 54.

Given his conditioning and seamless trip aboard Justify, Smith seems capable of surpassing that mark.

Asked about the secret to his success, Smith said: “Just keeping riding horses like this and that'll keep you around a long time. You don't have to work a whole lot; they do all the work for you.”

Perhaps, but it's hard to imagine another jockey getting so much out of a rookie on the sport's biggest stage.

Smith, whose first Derby win came aboard Giacomo in 2005, is known as being one of the sport's healthiest riders and a keen tactician. That helps explain why trainer Bob Baffert chose Smith to ride Justify after breaking his maiden beneath Drayden Van Dyke, and why he appeared so calm all week.

The rain and track made Baffert nervous, albeit only briefly, as Justify and Smith ran another impressive race.

Tough trip for Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn, the second choice on the morning line behind Justify due to an impressive resume that included winning the $2 million UAE Derby on March 31 in Dubai after winning the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last year.

He was looking to be the first European-based horse to win the Derby.

The Kentucky-bred and Irish-trained Mendelssohn was regarded by some as the best European-trained contender to attempt the Run for the Roses. He was the highest-priced American yearling of 2016, selling for $3 million. He is the son of Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady, and Scat Daddy, winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes the Florida Derby.

But despite his impressive pedigree and racing record, things didn’t work out well for the colt, trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Mendelssohn collided with other horses coming out of the gate and never recovered, finishing last in the 20-horse field on a sloppy track.