Smith Seeks All-Time Breeders' Cup Lead

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who leads the nation in Grade I wins with 12, ranks second in Breeders’ Cup wins with 13, two behind retired Jerry Bailey.

Smith hopes to improve upon those figures this weekend when he rides Zenyatta in the featured $5-million Classic as well as five other mounts: Proviso in the Mile, Jaycito in the Juvenile, Izshelegal in the Juvenile Fillies, Mine That Bird in the Dirt Mile and Tidal Pool in the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Smith is one of seven jockeys from the Hollywood Park colony who will be riding in the two-day extravaganza Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs. The others are Rafael Bejarano, Joel Rosario, Martin Garcia, Victor Espinoza, David Flores and Patrick Valenzuela.

Bejarano will be riding Crown of Thorns in the Dirt Mile, Unzip Me in the Turf Sprint, Indian Gracey in the Juvenile Fillies, Wyomia in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Rinterval in the Filly & Mare Sprint, Milwaukee Appeal in the Ladies Classic, Murjan in the Juvenile, Wise Dan in the Sprint and Alcomo in the Marathon.

Rosario is booked on Blind Luck in the Ladies Classic, Switch in the Filly & Mare Sprint, Sidney’s Candy in the Mile, Dakota Phone in the Dirt Mile, Harmonious in the Filly & Mare Turf, Champ Pegasus in the Turf, Banned in the Juvenile Turf, Jordy Y in the Juvenile Fillies, Pleasant Prince in the Classic and Hamazing Destiny in the Sprint.

Garcia will ride Lookin at Lucky in the Classic, A Z Warrior in the Juvenile Fillies, Gabby’s Golden Gal in the Filly & Mare Sprint, Kinsale King in the Sprint and Romp in the Marathon.

Espinoza has calls on The Usual Q.T. in the Mile, Evening Jewel in the Filly & Mare Sprint, California Flag in the Turf Sprint and Riveting Reason in the Juvenile.

Flores will ride Awesome Gem in the Marathon and Tropic Storm in the Dirt Mile, while Valenzuela will be aboard J P’s Gusto in the Juvenile and Quick Enough in the Turf Sprint.