Mike Smith celebrates. (Photo by Andie)
Hall of Famer ‘Off the Bench’ to ride Baffert-trained Madaket Road in the Grade 1
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Although based in Southern California since the early 2000s, Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith has a proven track record at Gulfstream Park.
Hall of Famer trainer Bob Baffert has called upon Smith to fill in for Tyler Gaffalione, who sustained a broken ankle in a starting gate mishap Wednesday, to ride Madaket Road in Saturday’s $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
The two-time Eclipse Award champion rode three consecutive winners of Gulfstream’s tradition-rich Triple Crown prep, scoring aboard Holy Bull (1994), Thunder Gulch (1995) and Unbridled’s Song (1996). The only other jockey to achieve that feat was fellow Hall of Famer Bill Hartack, who notched victories aboard Gen. Duke (1957), Tim Tam (1958) and Easy Spur (1959).
“Wow, that’s a big name to be involved with, I’ll tell you that,” Smith said.
Smith and Baffert have teamed for countless special victories over the years, most notably Justify’s 2018 Triple Crown sweep.
“We’ve done extremely well together. When I first came to Southern California in the early 2000s, right away we had success. Although I’ve never ridden everything for Bob or first call for Bob, he’d come to me with a really, really good horse and we’ve done extremely well,” Smith said. “To top it all off – well, I wouldn’t say that because we aren’t done yet – Justify coming along to win the Triple Crown, I’ve been very blessed. I’m very thankful for Bob and his crew. Now, he’s pulling me off the bench and putting me in to play, I’m very excited. I’m ready to play.”
Madaket Road is rated second on the Curlin Florida Derby morning line at 7-2 behind Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) hero Sovereignty, the 8-5 favorite in a field of 10.
Smith said he wishes speedy recoveries to Gaffalione and Junior Alvarado, who was scheduled to Sovereignty before being sidelined with a shoulder injury Sunday.
“It hurts to get hurt anytime, but to get hurt a month out from the Kentucky Derby, it really hurts,” Smith said. “Thank God, that’s all it is, and they’ll be back sooner than later. Amen to that.”
Smith, who will turn 60 Aug. 10, has ridden the winners of 5,774 races, including a record 27 winners in the Breeders’ Cup, his first coming aboard Lure in the 1992 Mile (G1) at Gulfstream. He has earned $354 million in purses during his illustrious career.
