The day will come when 58-year-old jockey Mike Smith no longer wants to compete in horse racing. That hour is no time soon and most definitely won’t be before 7 p.m. Saturday at Churchill Downs ...

Mike Smith Joined: Jun 11, 2025 An avid horse racing fan and bettor, Michael Smith has developed a career in horse racing media as an editor and writer. A regular at Saratoga Race Course, Michael ...

Horse Racing For two Kentucky Derby veterans, the glum surprises are part of the race 50-something jockeys Mike Smith and John Velazquez have seen it all over the decades at Churchill Downs.

I feel too good." Smith, who's won the Derby twice, with Giacomo in 2005 and Triple Crown winner Justify in 2018, rode in his first Kentucky Derby 41 years ago aboard Pine Circle in 1984.

Mike Smith will turn 59 in August, but is showing no signs of wanting to retire. The Hall of Fame jockey rode Justify to the Triple Crown in 2018 and will try to win Derby 151 aboard Rodriguez.