Triple Crown jockey in S.F.
Smith, one of sport’s top jockeys, rode Justify to Triple Crown victory in June
Nine months away from Santa Fe was far too long for Mike Smith’s taste.
The life of a horse racing jockey, especially one of Smith’s caliber, can make for long absences, but Smith found a couple of days in his ever-busy schedule to visit the City Different and see some familiar friends and family members. It helps that the recent Triple Crownwinning rider has two great aunts — that’s great as in “awesome” — who put together a nice welcome-back reception Wednesday afternoon at the renowned Nedra Matteucci Galleries in downtown Santa Fe.
“I love to come to Santa Fe with my family,” said the 52-year-old Smith at the event organized by Nedra Matteucci and Elizabeth Brockmann. “It’s nice to come back and see everybody. The last time I was here was for [the Christmas] holidays. The reception started out kinda small, but it’s just gotten pretty big. I’m not sure how many people are here to make it.”
As great as it is to see family, Smith didn’t stay long — he is off to Philadelphia on Thursday to get ready for the Pennsylvania Derby, the final major race for the 3-year-old division before the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2. Smith is riding McKinzie, one of the favorites going into the $1 million race. After that, he’ll head back home to California and continue riding there until heading to the Breeders’ Cup.
That’s the kind of life one of the most accomplished jockeys in horse racing
leads. Smith is second on the all-time earnings list with more than $312 million, won seven Triple Crown races (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes) and owns the most Breeders’ Cups wins with 26. Smith admitted that as he progressed in his career, he started to weight the enormity of his résumé.
“I think you think of that kind of stuff when you’re older,” Smith said. “I don’t think you think of about that when you’re young. You’re just ready to get on the next horse and achieve whatever goals you have.”
His latest accomplishment was becoming a Triple-Crown jockey, which he did this spring aboard Justify. Smith said it was amazing what the thoroughbred did, going undefeated in his six-race career before an ankle injury ended it in July.
“What he accomplished in such a short amount of time was incredible,” Smith said. “It’s good to see him retire healthy and happy. He’s going to live a great life.”
Smith’s life has been pretty fulfilling, too. He was honored by the National Turf and Writers and Broadcasters with the “Mr. Fitz” Award in late August. Named after longtime trainer “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, it goes to an individual who typifies the spirit of racing. Smith will be among five people honored by the organization at its annual awards dinner on Oct. 31 in Louisville, Ky.
He will join the likes of trainer Bob Baffert, the trainer for Justify, as well as fellow jockeys Chris McCarron and Pat Day.
“It’s a pretty special list,” Smith said. “That’s a huge award, looking at the list of people who have received it.” As for his future plans? “I’m just going to try and do it all over again,” Smith said.