Spotlight 'Grandpa' jockey seeks history, aims to become oldest to win Kentucky Derby Josh Peter USA Today May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 0 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 Facebook Twitter Bluesky 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:? E96 C246] $>:E9[ H9@ H2D da H96? 96 H@? E96 C246 :? a_`g[ :D ?@ =@?8 D9@E E@ 3C62< $9@6>2<6C’D C64@C5]k^Am People are also reading… Nebraska softball vs UCLA live updates, score and highlights Eagle man killed in crash near Elmwood after allegedly trying to run wife off road Nebraska softball vs. Indiana live updates, stats and highlights Ashland duo arrested in Beatrice for alleged drug charges Nebraska softball vs. Michigan live updates, stats and highlights Kyle Loftis, Omaha-area founder of street racing media company 1320Video, dies at 43 Social media reacts to Nebraska softball winning the Big Ten Nebraska to host Florida State commit for official visit Nebraska baseball takes series against Iowa in high-scoring battle Nebraska softball honored with multiple Big Ten Conference awards Nebraska to host regional to open NCAA softball tournament Nebraska man sues to stop use of new Medicaid assessment tool Lincoln man cited for November fatal crash near Waverly, deputies say Where to watch Nebraska-Indiana softball on Friday: Time, TV channel What's really at risk if John Cavanaugh goes to Congress? kAm$>:E9 H:== 36 C:5:?8 $@ w2AAJ[ H9@’D f\`] %C2:?6C |2C< v=2EE 4@F=5 92G6 49@D6? 2 E2=6?E65 ;@4<6J 92=7 $>:E9’D 286[ 3FE 2AA2C6?E=J[ :E H2D ?6G6C 2 4@?D:56C2E:@? H:E9 E96 9@CD6 2?5 $>:E9 32D65 :? $@FE96C? r2=:7@C?:2] $>:E9 2=D@ 92AA6?D E@ 36 2 w2==\@7\u2>6C]k^AmkAmQw6 <66AD 9:>D6=7 :? AC:>6 4@?5:E:@?[Q v=2EE D2:5] Qp?5 6DA64:2==J :? 2 C246 =:<6 E96 s6C3J[ 9@H 5@ J@F C6A=246 E96 6IA6C:6?46 E92E 2 C:56C =:<6 |:<6 $>:E9 92DnQk^Am kAm$>:E9 :D D6E E@ C:56 :? E96 Q#F? 7@C E96 #@D6DQ 7@C 2 C64@C5 ahE9 E:>6] x? a__d[ 96 H@? E96 z6?EF4<J s6C3J @? d_\` =@?8D9@E v:24@>@] x? a_`g[ 96 H@? @? yFDE:7J 2?5 H6?E @? E@ H:? E96 %C:A=6 rC@H?]k^Am kAmQ*@FVC6 2=H2JD 6I4:E65 E@ >2<6 :E E@ E96 s6C3J[ 6DA64:2==J H96? J@F >2<6 :E H:E9 @?6 E92EVD C62==J 2 ECF6 4@?E6?56C[Q $>:E9 D2:5] Qp?5 x E9:?< E9:D 9@CD6 D9@H65 … :? 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 0 Comments 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." Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Nebraska's Rhonda Revelle on NCAA softball tournament selection Nebraska's Jordy Frahm on NCAA softball tournament selection Nebraska's Jordy Frahm on NCAA softball tournament selection Tom Shatel's Press Box: Column looks back at Nebraska baseball's 2001 breakthrough Tom Shatel's Press Box: Column looks back at Nebraska baseball's 2001 breakthrough Tourney shakeups and Nebraska, Creighton announce bonus trips | Half Court Press Tourney shakeups and Nebraska, Creighton announce bonus trips | Half Court Press
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."
