Corridor of Fame jockey Mike Smith remembered his horse for the primary time. He advised of his many adventures with the little black pony his father had purchased him. The horse was named Stormy and taught him many issues that solely a bigoted Shetlander might. “Stormy suffered from ‘dwarf syndrome,'” Smith stated. I’d saddle him up for rides after college and each time I had the prospect. I needed to learn to put up and methods to hold posting with out getting bounced. ”
Quick ahead to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championship at Del Mar. Smith is the all-time chief in Breeders’ Cup wins (27). Since 1990, Mr. Smith has supplied affected person {and professional} Breeders’ Cup rides to a few of racing’s best horses, together with Lure, Skip Away, Azerbaijan, Zenyatta, Royal Delta, Songbird and Arrogate.
This yr, Smith is worked up concerning the rides scheduled aboard a quartet of nice opponents.
tamara Owned by Spendthrift Farm, she is a daughter of Corridor of Fame racehorse Beholder and often called the sire of Bolt d’Oro. She is educated by Corridor of Fame horse Richard Mandela, who received three Breeders’ Cups with Beholder. Jockey Mandela stated: “Tamara is a really particular filly, clearly gifted and enjoyable to be round. She shall be an amazing match with Mike Smith, who is an excellent gentleman and an amazing jockey.”
Jockey Smith will experience Tamara within the PNC Financial institution Filly Dash. He has been her jockey for the previous 5 races, together with wins within the 2023 FanDuel Racing Del Mar Debutante Stakes and the current G3 Chillingworth Stakes. She positioned seventh within the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November 2023 and was given a while off. Jockey Smith stated after successful the Chillingworth Stakes: “She’s positively completed lots. Mr. Mandela and all his employees have completed an amazing job of giving her the time she wants to return again. She was very desirous to get on the market (the gate). As soon as she achieved the left lead, she kicked into gear once more!”
bottle of rouge He’s sired by Bluegrass Cat mare Bruce Nook’s Vino Rosso. She is educated by Bob Baffert and owned by his spouse, Jill Baffert. Bottle of Rouge will run for the NetJets Juvenile Phillies. They just lately received the seventy fifth eventth Grade 1 Del Mar debutante version. It was an emotional victory for Jill Baffert, who cried tears of pleasure within the winner’s circle. It was Smith’s fourth win as a debutante, and he had nothing however reward for Bottle of Rouge. “That is my first time driving her. I’ve by no means had her work earlier than. I’ve to thank Jill when she requested Bob to offer me a experience. She did not hand over. She insisted, so he let me experience. Thanks, Jill. Thanks, Bob. She ran nicely right now.”
copy She is a 4 yr outdated filly who has received 4 stakes races. She can be the sire of Omaha Seaside, out of Victory Gallop’s mare Galloping Ami. Skilled by Mandela and owned by Spendthrift Farm, she’s going to compete in opposition to the boys for the primary time within the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Dash.
Mandela defined to Michelle Yu on FanDuel TV that she’s going to race Copion within the dash, somewhat than competing in opposition to fellow stablemate Tamara within the mare Dash. On Sunday morning, Smith took Copion out to the monitor and instructed him to “pump her up a bit of bit” for the brief race. Mandela advised Yu: “She was 33 (fifths) forward and seemed 36 (seconds). She was simply galloping. She’s superb proper now. It is egocentric of me to run two horses (Tamara and Copion) in a single race to attempt to make sure a win. Each fillies are adequate and deserve their very own day.”
After preparing after her morning exercise, Smith stated, “She ran lights out!” He’s a FanDuel He advised TV’s Yu, “It was a deal with and a half. It was simply to offer her some velocity…I pulled her up within the half and jogged her a bit of bit….I sat her on prime and he or she took off prefer it was a match race. It was actually cruising. I imply, she was nonetheless very comfy. It was a rhythm that she might deal with very nicely. I slowed her down after the wire and tried to not get out too early.” 46 (seconds) and alter. ”
Smith is a sport of competitors between copions and boys. “I actually prefer it. Zenyatta beat the boys within the traditional. It will be nice to beat the boys within the dash. She has the power. All of it relies on the draw and the journey. She’s completed very nicely and I am blissful.”
nevada seashoreThe Omaha Seaside colt owned by Mike Pegram, Paul Wightman and Carl Watson will run within the Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional. Smith will substitute Corridor of Famer Bob Baffert. The 2 just lately teamed as much as win the G1 Goodwood Stakes. After the race, Smith stated, “Nevada Seaside was nice. There have been loads of completely different methods for this race, however Bob advised me he was going to run your complete mile and eight to do what he needed to do. I had sufficient braveness to return ahead and push on the finish, and the horse responded splendidly!”
Baffert was happy. After the race he stated: “We have all the time been on prime with this horse. … Immediately he confirmed what he is manufactured from. They had been working exhausting. As I headed dwelling I assumed, ‘Effectively, that is the time to search out out what I am actually manufactured from.'” He drove in and Mike Smith had an exquisite race. Mike rode (my dad’s) Omaha Seaside, and I like Omaha Seaside. I feel he’ll be a very good stallion. ”
In 2019, Smith led Omaha Seaside to first-grade wins within the Arkansas Derby, Santa Anita Dash Championship Stakes, Malibu Stakes and second place within the Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile. He stated Nevada Seaside loves the Del Mar monitor and it really works nicely there. “Miles and Quarters ought to be proper up his alley!”
When Smith rides a horse for the primary time, he has an inner guidelines. “As quickly as you heat up, you’ll be able to really feel whether or not they’re heavy or light-tasting. The necessary factor is that you simply adapt to them, not that they adapt to you.”
“It is not as troublesome as individuals assume. You may study concerning the horse’s little quirks, what he likes and what he does not like, simply by connecting with him. Generally you must determine issues out by yourself throughout a race. Does your horse have issues with recoil? Does he hate being inside or crowds? Is he claustrophobic? And when your horse will get comfy, you’ll be able to really feel him calm down and get right into a rhythm. That is the important thing! It is necessary to get the horse into a pleasant, lovely rhythm.” Early on. That method they are going to breathe nicely and offer you what they’ve. You may really feel it when they’re blissful. Whenever you take them to a enjoyable place with a superb rhythm, they assume, “That is what right now goes to be like!” ”
Mike Smith is a non secular particular person and loves horses. After each win, he would cease within the again and say a prayer, saying, “Please bless me and this horse to return again safely. For all of you who’re coming again. The horses are all secure and sound. That is what I pray for. For the chance and to experience a superb race.”
Talking about his lifelong love of horses, Smith stated: “Horses are simply superb to have a look at at first. They’re so cool they usually talk. Small issues flip into so massive issues. I am all the time amazed at how superb, lovely, and highly effective horses are. Horses are very robust. You need to take note of them. However you’ll be able to nonetheless calm down and allow them to do issues. You may make them do extra with talent and endurance than you’ll be able to with brute pressure. With the ability to deal with a horse nicely means lots.”
“Every little thing in my life is due to horses. I am not going to say I would not be alive if it wasn’t for horses, however I positively would not be residing this manner. When you concentrate on the chance to experience these lovely horses and the feelings you get from them, there are actually no phrases to explain that feeling. It is an incredible feeling once you cross the wire for the primary time. It is about letting the horse do what you need it to do. In the event you experience nicely, you give the horse every little thing. “It is a good feeling. ”
From a Shetland pony named Stormy to the world-class horse racing enviornment, Smith has achieved unimaginable heights from behind a horse. He’s blessed with many great recollections. He simply says, “I do not need to commerce it without cost.”
