Feeling Like He’s 40, Mike Smith Chasing Breeders’ Cup History

[Wandering Eyes]

DEL MAR, Calif. – At the age of 56, the legendary Bill Shoemaker guided Ferdinand home by a nose over Alysheba as the two Derby winners famously hit the wire together in the 1987 GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Hollywood Park. The late Shoemaker has held the record as the oldest jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race since.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith will have five chances to make history as the two-day Championships return to Del Mar for the fourth time Friday. The 59-year-old's Breeders' Cup mounts include: Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) (Juvenile Fillies); 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) (F/M Sprint); Kopion (Omaha Beach) (Sprint); Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) (Classic); and Will Take It (Tapit) (Dirt Mile).

“Even if I wasn't setting the record, it would be awesome to win a Breeders' Cup race,” Smith said. “We're gonna give it our all. We're not without big chances, I'm excited about it. And if I become the oldest jockey to do so, that's just an extra little icing on the cake. I feel like I'm 40, man. I mean, I'm out here running talking to you (on the phone) right now.”

Bottle of Rouge makes her two-turn debut for Bob Baffert in Friday's Juvenile Fillies following a win in the seven-furlong GI Del Mar Debutante S.

Tamara, a daughter of the mighty Beholder, kicked off her season in style off the bench with a dominant win in the GIII Chillingworth S. The talented GI Derby City Distaff S. heroine Kopion could arguably be Smith's best chance on the weekend while taking on the boys in the Sprint. The Spendthrift Farm duo are both trained by Richard Mandella.

“I don't think anybody would argue that (Tamara) has the ability and if anyone could get into the Breeders' Cup off one race, that's Mr. Mandella,” Smith said. “There's a lot to (Kopion). She's as big as those boys are. She's strong. Some great fillies have run extremely well in the Sprint in the past.”

The lightly raced 3-year-old Nevada Beach heads to the Classic for Baffert following a 'Win and You're In' victory against older horses in the GI Goodwood S. Smith has won the Classic four times, led by the once-in-a-lifetime Zenyatta in 2009.

“I don't even think we know how good he is yet,” Smith said. “He's a big, powerful horse and wants every bit of going the distance.”

Smith will also ride longshot Will Take It for Dallas Stewart in the Dirt Mile.

“I'm feeling great, my horses are training well and I couldn't be more excited,” Smith said. “Listen, it's the Breeders' Cup, we all know they're very tough races to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if any one of them won. They all have a really good shot and they're doing really well. It's been a few years since I've had a couple of live ones in the Breeders' Cup.”

No jockey has ridden more 'live ones' at the Championships than Smith. The most recent of his leading 27 Breeders' Cup victories came aboard Corniche in the 2021 Juvenile. His first was aboard the two-time Mile winner Lure in 1992.

“When Zenyatta beat the boys, that might be a Top Five of all Breeders' Cups,” Smith concluded. “I've been blessed to have had so many wonderful moments in the Breeders' Cup.”

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