SMITH GOES FOR GRAND SLAM IN BREEDERS' CUP 25
Mike Smith wouldn't trade places with anybody next weekend. The 43-year-old Hall of Fame rider is scheduled to ride two solid favorites, the undefeated Zenyatta in the Ladies' Classic and Oak Leaf Stakes winner Stardom Bound in the Juvenile Fillies, and the speedy and game Dearest Trickski in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Each race is on Friday, Oct. 24. The next day, Smith tackles Curlin and the rest of the world aboard Santa Anita Derby winner Tiago in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic.
"They're all training really, really well," Smith said after working Tiago on Hollywood Park's Cushion Track Saturday and watching exercise rider Bruno Delgadillo work Stardom Bound. "I really believe if the horses I ride are given the opportunity to run like they can, they're going to run huge. They're all training as good, if not better, than they ever have, so they're going into the race the way they're supposed to. You pray for the opportunity, and if it presents itself, I think they're going to run like you haven't seen before."