US Racing Show

US Racing Show

Host Derek Simon of US Racing recaps the final round of Kentucky Derby preps, including the Lexington Stakes and Arkansas Derby, and chats with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who gives his thoughts on the condition of champion filly Songbird and his mount in this year’s Kentucky Derby — Danzing Candy. Smith also discusses how he stays so fit at 50 years of age and reminisces about the great Zenyatta, the champion mare he piloted to 19 wins in 20 career starts. In the Sports Betting segment, Kevin Rogers of VegasInsider.com drops by to discuss the NBA playoffs. ABOUT THE GUEST(S) Mike Smith, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003, started riding at the age of 11 and got his jockey’s license at age 16 in 1982. After racing mostly in the Midwest, including a stint at Canterbury Downs (now Canterbury Park), Smith moved his tack to the Big Apple in 1989 and a short two years later he topped the New York jockey standings. In 1993, Smith broke the North American record for stakes victories in a year with 62, including his first Triple Crown series win with Prairie Bayou in the Preakness and a second consecutive score aboard Lure in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He won his first Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and also took home an ESPY Award as top jockey that year. In 2005, Smith won the Kentucky Derby aboard 50-1 longshot Giacomo and, five years later, he completed his own personal Triple Crown with a victory aboard Drosselmeyer in the 2010 Belmont Stakes. In addition, his 17 Breeders’ Cup wins are a BC record.