Spotlight 'Grandpa' jockey seeks history, aims to become oldest to win Kentucky Derby Josh Peter USA Today May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 Veteran jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith, shown here on April 24, will pilot 2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful So Happy on Saturday. Matt Stone, Courier Journal Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Josh Peter USA Today Jockey Mike Smith is 59, which has not escaped the attention of his colleagues.kAm$@>6 @7 E96> 42== 9:> 8C2?5A2[ 244@C5:?8 E@ $>:E9]k^AmkAmQx 86E :E 2==[ >2?[Q 96 D2:5[ 3FE 25565[ QpE >J 286[ xV> DE:== 5@:?8 E96 E9:?8D x H2D 5@:?8 H96? x H2D b_[ >2?] xEVD 4C2KJ]Qk^AmkAm$>:E9[ 2 EH@\E:>6 H:??6C :? E96 z6?EF4<J s6C3J[ H:== 36 :? A@D:E:@? E@ 364@>6 E96 @=56DE ;@4<6J E@ H:? E96 C246 $2EFC52J 2E r9FC49:== s@H?D :? {@F:DG:==6[ z6?EF4<J]k^Am kAm%96 =2E6 (:==:6 $9@6>2<6C H2D dc H96? 96 C@56 u6C5:?2?5 E@ G:4E@CJ :? E96 `hge z6?EF4<J s6C3J[ 2?5 96 C6>2:?D E96 @=56DE ;@4<6J E@ H:? 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E96 $2?E2 p?:E2 s6C3J E92E ?@E @?=J :D 96 8@:?8[ 3FE 96 24EF2==J 92D 2 3:8 492?46 E@ H:? :E 2==] w6 C62==J 5@6D]Qk^AmkAm$@ w2AAJ H6?E @77 2E bg\` :? :ED C24:?8 563FE 2?5 H@?] $:?46 E96?[ 96 92D C2465 E9C66 >@C6 E:>6D[ A=24:?8 E9:C5 @?46 2?5 H:??:?8 EH:46 — :?4=F5:?8 E96 $2?E2 p?:E2 s6C3J :? 2 C246 E92E 62C?65 E96 9@CD6 2 DA@E :? E96 s6C3J]k^Am kAmQx E9:?< H6’C6 ;FDE DE2CE:?8 E@ D66 E96 36DE @7 9:>[Q $>:E9 D2:5]k^AmkAmr@F=5 E96 D2>6 36 D2:5 7@C E96 dh\J62C\@=5 ;@4<6Jnk^Am The Thursday before the Kentucky Derby was officially dubbed Thurby in 2014, and drew more than 53,000 attendees last year. USA Today - Vertical Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Trainer Mark Glatt praises his Kentucky Derby 2026 horse So Happy Kentucky Derby 2026 horse So Happy's mind is "extremely good," says trainer Mark Glatt, and jockey Mike Smith knows the contender "inside and out." Watch Now: Related Video Jalen Brunson Joins Michael Jordan in NBA Finals History, Wins Finals MVP Stephen A. Smith Says Knicks SAVED NBA After Beating Victor Wembanyama's Spurs Stephen A. Smith Says Knicks SAVED NBA After Beating Victor Wembanyama's Spurs Victor Wembanyama Admits Harsh NBA Finals Truth After Knicks Break Spurs' Heart Victor Wembanyama Admits Harsh NBA Finals Truth After Knicks Break Spurs' Heart Shaq’s Brutal Message to Victor Wembanyama After Spurs’ NBA Finals Collapse Shaq’s Brutal Message to Victor Wembanyama After Spurs’ NBA Finals Collapse Watch Now: Related Video Jalen Brunson Joins Michael Jordan in NBA Finals History, Wins Finals MVP Stephen A. Smith Says Knicks SAVED NBA After Beating Victor Wembanyama's Spurs Stephen A. Smith Says Knicks SAVED NBA After Beating Victor Wembanyama's Spurs Victor Wembanyama Admits Harsh NBA Finals Truth After Knicks Break Spurs' Heart Victor Wembanyama Admits Harsh NBA Finals Truth After Knicks Break Spurs' Heart Shaq’s Brutal Message to Victor Wembanyama After Spurs’ NBA Finals Collapse Shaq’s Brutal Message to Victor Wembanyama After Spurs’ NBA Finals Collapse
Trainer Mark Glatt praises his Kentucky Derby 2026 horse So Happy Kentucky Derby 2026 horse So Happy's mind is "extremely good," says trainer Mark Glatt, and jockey Mike Smith knows the contender "inside and out."
