Jockey Mike Smith feels “blessed” to ride Hansen in the West Virginia Derby
Rider, Mike Smith, will team up with the Mike Maker trained, Hansen, in the Grade 2, $750,000 West Virginia Derby. Hosted at the Mountaineer racecourse on 4th
August, 2012, this race will cover a distance of 1 1/8 miles.
Hansen’s owner, Dr. Kendall E. Hansen is excited about the combination of this duo, as he told the media that:
"He's a famous rider and it'll be nice to team up with him for the race."
For the most part of his career, the three-year-old colt was mounted by Ramon Dominguez, but he will not be available this time around. Referring to this, the owner said:
"Ramon has a couple great mounts he doesn't want to pass up and I certainly understand that. How many times do you get a Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner and a Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner picking up the mount on your horse?"
Hansen, who is under the wing of Mike Maker, is in immensely good shape as he recently seized a magnificent victory in the Grade 3 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows in June, 2012, where he finished 10 massive lengths ahead of, Hero Of Order, over the distance
of 1 1/16 miles.
The son of Tapit might have to stretch himself a little, but he has raced on this distance before in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, where he landed a solid finish as a runner-up.
Foaled by Sir Cat mare Stormy Sunday, the runner has an overall record of 5-2-0 in eight starts with earnings of $1,773,305.
The talented rider is just as ecstatic about this opportunity as he stated:
"I feel so blessed, I feel guilty, almost, getting the opportunity to ride so many great horses right now.”
Smith mounted the Katherine Ritvo trained, Mucho Macho Man, and guided him to victory in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park in July, 2012.
Along with this, he also led the Bill Mott trained, Royal Delta, to victory in the Delaware Handicap.
With Mike Smith and Hansen pairing up, it’ll be a mouth watering prospect with the champion runner and a Hall of Fame jockey.
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