Covid-19 restrictions on racing in New York had just been lifted in mid-May when Mike Smith, the 2018 Triple Crown winner came by Lifestyles for the Disabled to share his experiences as a champion jockey.
He told the New York Post he would be racing in the Belmont which was rescheduled for June 20 with a shortened course from a mile-and-a-half to a mile-and-an-eighth. Usually the last race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont, New York’s crown jewel, would be the first race, followed by the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.
The oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown, Smith, now 54, shared how he stays in shape, how he recovered from a serious injury and how he adjusted with the restrictions of life during Covid 19.
Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2003, Smith has also won the most Breeders' Cup races of any jockey with 26 wins.
The attachment to the lives of the animals he worked with was apparent throughout the interview.
He sat on a couch with a painting of a horse and jockey behind him.
“That’s the big girl, Zenyatta. She just had a baby, a little filly. If I stay around long enough, I’ll get an opportunity to ride the baby,” said Smith. He rode Zenyatta in 17 of her 20 races in 2010, the year she was named Horse of the Year. They won 16 of them.
Smith answered a wide range of questions from members of the Life-Wire News crew.
How did you prepare for the Triple Crown?
I was going in, in 2018, with Justify thinking this horse has the ability to do something. Of course, any of the Triple Crown races are so hard to win. You certainly got to get through the first one before you can do anything. So just preparing for the [Kentucky] Derby, getting ready for it, and being really excited about our chances. And of course, we pulled that off. Of course, that makes the second one even more nerve racking and, of course, into the third. So that’s all I was doing beforehand. Just getting ready for this race, riding a lot of races, trying to stay fit. It’s just like an NBA player or anybody else, playing games before the final you play.
What did you like about Justify?
Not only was he extremely talented, he was a very smart horse. He didn’t race at all as a 2-year-old going into the Triple Crown. Most horses are a little green at that time. They’re just not very experienced. But for him, he’s just a very intelligent horse. He made no mistakes. He’s a pretty cool horse to be around.
How did it feel winning the Triple Crown at Belmont?
It was the most humblest feeling I ever felt in my life. I wish I could put it into words. I don’t quite have the words to explain the feeling that I get, but it is certainly life changing. Any time we bring this up, man it just gives me goosebumps all over my arms and I get that wonderful feeling all over again that I could go today and I’d be a very happy man.
After winning the Belmont, you dedicated it to somebody. Can you tell us who that was?
Oh Marlon [St. Julien]. He was a friend of mine that had gotten paralyzed earlier that month, and I was just kind of dedicating that race to him and just letting him know that we’re all letting him know that we’re all thinking about him and praying for him.
Why do you thank the Lord for offering you a winning horse?
I thank the Lord for everything in my life. He’s a big part of my life. I’m a religious man in everything that I do and before I start my day and before my day comes to an end, I’m talking to him and thanking him and just asking him to lead me in the right direction in everything I do … whether that be riding a horse or just talking to people or whatever it may be in life, I always talk to God.
DECADES LONG CAREER
How long have you been racing professionally? Are you thinking about retiring?
I have been riding professionally since 1982 [38 years]. If I stay healthy, the Lord willing, I would love to go another two or three years… If I did anything right early on when I was young, it was to get into physical fitness. And that really pays off later on in life. So you’ve got to make it a way of life, do it as many days you can. I try to work out at least five days a week. And when you get older it will pay off.
How did you feel about being inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame?
I was inducted in the National Racing Hall of Fame in 2003. And although I’d been very blessed and accomplished quite a bit at a young age… there were so many riders that weren’t in there yet who I really have the utmost respect for that I thought they deserved to be in there before I did. So I didn’t kind of feel like I belonged in the beginning. And of course as time went on with each and every accomplishment that we were able to achieve, well then I felt more comfortable about being in there and especially after winning the Triple Crown, then I felt that I really arrived at that point and I definitely felt that I belonged at that point.
Smith relates that he broke his back racing at Saratoga when he “got pushed through the inside hedge and my horse did a somersault and landed on top of me.” He missed most of the 1998 and part of the 1999 season, but has escaped any other major injury since then.
How did you recover?
I recovered great. It took awhile even when I started back...It took another year almost … to really feel good and comfortable...I don’t hardly have any effects from it. Every now and then my back will get a little sore.
After reviewing the clip of his first Kentucky Derby win (2005) on Giacomo with 50-1 odds: I hadn’t seen this race in quite a long, long time. The thing about Giacomo is I rode his father Holy Bull who was a big favorite at the Kentucky Derby (1994) and didn’t run well in it that year. So to come back and win it on his son made it even more special to me. So every time I see that, I get a big ol’ lump in my throat.
EARLY INFLUENCES
How did you get into horse racing?
I was pretty competitive at a young age, loved sports period. I loved playing football, baseball, but I didn’t grow very much. I was small... I always got along with horses very well and I was blessed to be around them a lot. Next thing you know I got into that. I’ve never looked back since.
What were your influences as a jockey?
One of the first big races I remember seeing on TV was Secretariat. Secretariat was a big influence on me early on. Getting the opportunity to watch Angel Cordero, Bill Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay. And learning and getting the opportunity to meet a lot of great riders that I get to ride with -- Gary Stevens, Jerry Bailey. So many of them that influenced me. Pat Day was a big influence early on.
What’s your favorite thing about horse racing?
Getting to ride a horse! I love horses. If you ever get the chance to ride one please take the opportunity to do so. They’re just amazing. It’s a feeling like no other. You feel like you’re flying.
RIDING TIPS
How does a small man like you learn to ride such a big horse?
Well you can’t out muscle them so you’ve got to have a little bit of finesse. You’ve got to be able to have a little bit of finesse. I was blessed to have grown up around horses and get a chance to ride them all the time and, of course, the more you do things in anything you do in life; the better you get at it...But you’ve got to learn early on to respect them, to understand they’re much bigger and stronger than you and you get along a whole lot better with kindness and respect.
How did you learn to ride a horse?
I learned to ride at a very young age. I was raised on a ranch. So we always had horses and I loved being around them and getting the opportunity to ride … It’s trial and error man. You just got to practice on a horse and you get better the more you do.
How do you stay safe on a horse?
You stay on its back! The more experience you have you’d be amazed at what a horse can tell you without being able to talk. Just look at their ears. They’ll tell you exactly what they’re gonna do. So if you’re paying attention, your chances of staying safe in anything you do are a whole lot better when you pay attention.
LOCAL CONNECTIONS
How did you meet Staten Islander Harry Rice?
I met Harry when I first went to New York. He became my valet. My equipment manager … my psychologist as well. They [valets] play a big part in your life … You’re probably around them a whole lot more than you are your own family. So he became family to me.
Have you ever been to Yankee Stadium?
I’m actually a good friend of Joe Torre. I used to ride a real good horse for Joe Torre. He used to be the manager of the Yankees of course. I got to go quite a bit. Me and Harry would go. I love it. It’s my favorite stadium.
DURING COVID-19
How do you stay fit during quarantine?
I’ve been doing a whole lot of running and bike riding. I’ve learned to ride a bike again. They say once you’ve learned you never forget. I don’t think that’s true. It took me a while to figure it all out again. Kind of crashed a few times… Now that we started back last Friday [racing resumed on May 15 in California] you’re right back again after you’ve ridden a few.
When riding returns, what are your plans? Will you still be riding Justify?
It just returned in California on Friday; so it’s with pretty strict restrictions. We have to be quarantined. We have to take a Covid test … once you pass it you have to be in a certain area for the days you are riding. And then after you’re done you can leave and come home.
As for Justify. Justify is retired. So he just makes babies now. He lives in Kentucky. He’s living the life.
Written collaboratively by Meredith Arout, Aaron Bialer, Joseph Bevacqua, Anthony DiCostanzo, Kevin DiStefano, Andrew Moszenberg, Antonio Pabon, Joseph Padalino, Greg Perosi, Eric Schwacke, Matthew Virga, Melissa Vomero, Sebastian Wisniewski for Life-Wire News Service with Kathryn Carse
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