HALL OF FAME JOCKEY MIKE SMITH TO RIDE AT SHRP FOR FIRST TIME IN ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER
Will Take Mount in 4 Races on January 27th, Including Houston Ladies Classic (GIII)
HOUSTON, TX — Hall of Fame Jockey Mike E. Smith, will be making his first career trip to Sam Houston Race Park ( www.shrp.com ) for the January 27th Houston Racing Festival!
Winner of the 2018 Triple Crown aboard Justify, Mike Smith has made quite a name for himself throughout his 28 year career. Boasting 5,441 career wins, he is the 2nd all-time leading jockey in career earnings at over $318 million—trailing only fellow Hall of Famer John R. Velazquez.
The all-time leader in Breeders’ Cup wins with 26 first place finishes, including wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1997, 2009, 2011, & 2016, Smith’s résumé is also highlighted by numerous victories in the “American Classic” races. Mike Smith started out his Hall of Fame career by winning the 1993 Preakness Stakes. He then won the 2005 Kentucky Derby, 2010 Belmont, 2013 Belmont, 2013 Kentucky Oaks, and the 2017 Kentucky Oaks. Last year, riding Justify, he made history by winning the 2018 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont to secure the Triple Crown—only the thirteenth in the history of Thoroughbred Racing. At 52 years old, Mike Smith was the oldest Triple Crown jockey in the sports’ history. Smith was also the jockey of Zenyatta, the filly who won 19 of 20 career races between 2008-2010. Smith was himself inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2003.
Smith will be arriving at Sam Houston Race Park to compete in the 2019 Houston Racing Festival on January 27th. Upon arrival, Smith will be conducting a meet & greet and autograph session with Sam Houston Race Park patrons from 12-1pm in the SHRP History Room. Smith will take four mounts during the day. The first will take place in the $50,000 Stonerside Sprint, where he will ride Direct Dial. The second will be in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup (GIII), where he will ride Markitoff. Smith’s third ride will take place in race 9, where he will mount Midnight Bisou in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (GIII). Midnight Bisou is a finalist for the Eclipse Award (American Champion Three Year Old Filly). Smith’s final mount of the day will be aboard Hey Niki in the $50,000 Jersey Lilly Turf Stakes. The Houston Racing Festival will have a special first post time of 1pm on Sunday, January 27th
Sam Houston Race Park is also proud to announce we will be hosting a silent auction on Sunday, January 27th with all proceeds going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The PDJF currently helps to support over 60 permanently disabled former Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred riders solely through donations and proceeds. Please stop by the SHRP History Room on Sunday to learn more. For more information regarding the PDJF, please visit www.pdjf.org.
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 minutes from downtown! SHRP offers a variety of attractions including 16 recently renovated luxury suites overlooking the race track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming shows, events, and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.
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