No better end to the Breeders’ Cup Classic 2011, Mike strikes his 15th but with Drosselmeyer this time
It was last year that Mike Smith considered his career to have reached a standstill after finishing second to Albert’s Blame in the Breeders’ Cup Classic held on 6th November, 2010, at Churchill Downs.
The fact that the two, Zenyatta and Blame, were neck to neck and it was Blame who got to hit the wire first aggravated the situation further as the victory would have been the 15th at the Breeders’ Cup for Mike Smith. Not only this, Zenyatta’s
till then unbeatable record was completely distorted by the outcome of this race, the shattering defeat had put the only and the hardest dent in her career.
Her record displays nineteen straight wins, with only three to the credit of David Flores and the rest were made possible with Mike Smith onboard. The one who bestowed her with constant victories also became the reason for her final race of the career to
turn into perhaps the closest defeat ever.
Giving himself a chance yet again and trying to push his luck harder on, this year Mike Smith settled on riding Drosselmeyer for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The horse had not been very active as he was last seen racing and winning the One Count Stakes on
15th May this season at Belmont Park. After that the three attempts that Drosselmeyer made did not materialize into victories.
Last time that the two, Drosselmeyer and Mike Smith had raced together was the last year’s Belmont Stakes at the Belmont Park.
“As soon as I found out I was riding Drosselmeyer, I kept praying about it. Like
wow, this could really take the sting away. I was extremely excited. I had ridden him once, a win in the Belmont Stakes, and to get a chance to ride him back in the Classic, I don't know, I just got this good feeling as soon as I found out”.
The level of confidence, faith and the passion to give it a try once more would have made the success possible because there was intense competition like Havre de Grace and Uncle Mo, all for whom the victory had already been anticipated by many.
The race ended up leveling a lot of balances as the runner up for the Cup was being ridden by Mike Smith’s ex who was running for being the first woman jockey to win the Breeders’ Classic Cup and she was not far away from it at all rather the closest, riding
with Game on Dude.
The race had more in store for Mike Smith and it was almost as if his previous year’s effort and this year’s zeal for avenge got the best for him.
“I’m just blessed to win a Breeders’ Cup, period,” said Smith, “But to win the Classic, it’s just a step above. It’s pretty incredible”.
This has made Mike Smith stand at a point in history where his 15th Breeders’ Cup win has brought him shoulder to shoulder, in tie with the now retired jockey Jerry Bailey who had been contributing to the Breeders’ history. Next year, if Mike
Smith will be able to surpass from the tie or not is yet to be disclosed.
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