'Grandpa' jockey seeks history, aims to become oldest to win Kentucky Derby

Jockey Mike Smith is 59, which has not escaped the attention of his colleagues.

Some of them call him grandpa, according to Smith.

“I get it all, man,’’ he said, but added, “At my age, I'm still doing the things I was doing when I was 30, man. It's crazy.’’

Smith, a two-time winner in the Kentucky Derby, will be in position to become the oldest jockey to win the race Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

The late Willie Shoemaker was 54 when he rode Ferdinand to victory in  the 1986 Kentucky Derby and he remains the oldest jockey to win the race. Smith, who was 52 when he won the race in 2018, is no long shot to break Shoemaker’s record.

Smith will be riding So Happy, who’s 7-1. Trainer Mark Glatt could have chosen a talented jockey half Smith’s age, but apparently, it was never a consideration with the horse and Smith based in Southern California. Smith also happens to be a Hall-of-Famer.

Kentucky Derby contender: So Happy is the Kentucky Derby horse worth cheering for this year

“He keeps himself in prime condition,’’ Glatt said. “And especially in a race like the Derby, how do you replace the experience that a rider like Mike Smith has?’’

Smith is set to ride in the “Run for the Roses’’ for a record 29th time, and he is familiar with the winner’s circle.

In 2005, he won the Kentucky Derby on 50-1 longshot Giacomo.

In 2018, he won on Justify and went on to win the Triple Crown.

“You're always excited to make it to the Derby, especially when you make it with one that's really a true contender,’’ Smith said. “And I think this horse showed… in the Santa Anita Derby that not only is he going, but he actually has a big chance to win it all. He really does.’’

So Happy went off at 38-1 in its racing debut and won. Since then, he has raced three more times, placing third once and winning twice – including the Santa Anita Derby in a race that earned the horse a spot in the Derby.