Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith is set to ride Baffert-trained MADAKET ROAD in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Smith steps in for Tyler Gaffalione, who suffered a broken ankle earlier this week. The 59-year-old rider has a rich history at Gulfstream, having won three consecutive editions of this Triple Crown prep aboard HOLY BULL (1994), THUNDER GULCH (1995), and UNBRIDLED’S SONG (1996).
Smith and trainer Bob Baffert have long enjoyed success together, most memorably with JUSTIFY’s 2018 Triple Crown sweep. With MADAKET ROAD listed as the 7-2 second choice behind Sovereignty (8-5), Smith is eager to make an impact. “Bob’s pulling me off the bench and putting me in to play. I’m very excited. I’m ready to play,” he said.
Expressing well wishes for Gaffalione and Junior Alvarado, who was originally booked to ride Sovereignty but is sidelined with a shoulder injury, Smith acknowledged the challenges of missing major races due to injury. However, he remains focused on Saturday’s race as he looks to add another Gulfstream victory to his legendary career, which includes 5,774 wins and a record 27 Breeders’ Cup triumphs.
