'Mike Smith Day' honors Justify's Triple Crown jockey in home state
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez has proclaimed Sunday, July 8th as “Mike E. Smith Day” throughout New Mexico.
That is the day that Triple Crown-winning jockey Smith will be visiting Ruidoso Downs for the Mike Smith Triple Crown Victory Celebration.
Smith won this year’s Triple Crown aboard Justify, the 13th Triple Crown winner. The rider became the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown at age 52.
Posters commemorating the Triple Crown conquest will be available starting at 11 a.m. for $10. Smith will be signing posters at the east end of the grandstand beginning at 1 p.m. Those posters are $25. All proceeds benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund.
The proclamation partially reads:
"WHEREAS, ONE OF NEW MEXICO’S MOST FAMOUS SONS, MICHAEL EARL SMITH, RODE JUSTIFY TO VICTORY AT THE BELMONT STAKES ON JUNE 9, 2018, TO JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE GROUP OF JOCKEYS WHO HAVE WON THE TRIPLE CROWN OF THOROUGHBRED RACING; AND …
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, SUSANA MARTINEZ, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY 8TH, 2018, AS “MIKE E. SMITH DAY” THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO."
The proclamation will be presented to Smith at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday afternoon by Ray Willis, chairman of the New Mexico Racing Commission.
Smith will also be recognized by Congressman Steve Pearce and Senator Mary Kay Papen, President Pro Tempore of the New Mexico State Senate.
Congressman Pearce will present a Congressional Certificate, and a United States Flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. Pearce recently honored Smith by offering a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing Smith’s achievements.
Papen will honor Smith with a Senate Memorial.