Amazombie’s Potrero Grande Stakes win hands Mike Smith his 5000th victory at Santa Anita
Going into the Grade 2, $150,000 Potrero Grande Stakes at Santa Anita Park on 7 April, 2012, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith was vying for his 5,000th victory in the race teamed up with the nation’s best sprinter of the year 2011, Amazombie.
The Hall of Famer came out of the race as a victor and amazingly notched up his 5,000th victory, and in the age of 46, Mike Smith became the 25th rider to reach the milestone.
Earlier he moved one race closer to his milestone by winning the Grade 3, $150,000 Providencia Stakes, when he guided the favoured Lady of Shamrock to victory prior to the Potrero Grande Stakes.
“I’m really just beside myself right now," said Smith. "For it to happen on Amazombie is so fitting. Who could have drawn it up any better? I’m just really happy that I finally got to 5,000. Those last two wins were tough. I’m glad that I got it over with.
"It’s incredible," Smith added. "Just to get put in that group of guys that have won 5,000 I’m just beside myself. This is very humbling. I feel really good. I’ll sleep good tonight.”
Native of Roswell, N.M., Mike Smith was voted America’s Eclipse Jockey of the year back in 93 and 1994, but he will be remembered for his 17 consecutive wins over the fantastic mare, Zenyatta, including a Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic win at Santa Anita
back in 2009.
His other two Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic wins include the tough win in 97 over Skip Away, and most recently over Drosselmeyer in 2011, part of the reason why the jockey is called the greatest big money riders of all times.
In the Potrero Grande Stakes, Amazombie was sent as the 13 to 10 favourite in a field of 6 runners, as the champion sprinter downed the six and a half furlong distance in a good time of 1 minute and 14.16 seconds.
Bob Baffert trained Roman Threat, coming off a sensational debut win, assumed the lead straight away, and carved quick fractions, but Amazombie came off the rail to challenge the pace setter, and successfully led past the sixteenth pole and never looked
back from there.
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