Smith Knew Justify Could Pull Off 'Ultimate Dream'

Mike Smith was so focused the morning of May 5, 2018, that the day was a blur leading up to the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). The Hall of Fame jockey knew his mount, the undefeated Justify , was a different type of horse than most—and if he could break clean from the starting gate, the big chestnut had every chance to win.

"I knew going in this is the kind of horse that could not only win the Derby but could pull off the ultimate dream, and that's the Triple Crown," Smith said. "I was just really, really focused. Everything else is a blur other than just sitting in that gate, having him standing square, and focusing on the doors. That was all I was really focused about. I knew once I got him out of there, if I got him running happy, he was going to run. I knew what he was capable of. It was just that jump, that break, and man, he did it."

Trained by Bob Baffert for WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing, and Head of Plains Partners, Justify went off as the 5-2 favorite. Rain drenched the crowd and the track at Churchill Downs throughout the day and continued to fall for the 1 1/4-mile classic, but the Scat Daddy colt remained unfazed through it all.

"Warming up, I always take a look at the competition to see who's handling things well, who's not—it's just something I do—and he was just so professional," Smith said. "He looked better, he was better, and he acted better. I just remember thinking, 'God, you're so good, you're so smart.' That's all I ever remember thinking about him almost every time he ever ran."

Justify broke sharp, was second off the pace, then took over at the quarter pole en route to a 2 1/2-length victory. The final time was 2:04.20.

"Any time you're blessed to win a Triple Crown race, especially the Derby, it's always amazing," Smith said. "There's no feeling like it, and there's no words in my vocabulary that can describe it."

REPLAY: Justify Wins Kentucky Derby 144

Justify was the second Kentucky Derby winner piloted by Smith, who rode Giacomo to victory in 2005. He made the jockey's lifelong dream come true by then sweeping the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) to win the Triple Crown.

The Belmont was Justify's last race, but Smith squeezed in one last ride at Del Mar just before the colt shipped to Kentucky for retirement. Next to Baffert on his stable pony, the jockey took a pleasure ride around the stable area.

"One of the most fun times of being on him, besides from winning the Triple Crown, of course, was just sitting on him that morning," Smith said. "Just going to sit on him like there was nothing else to do but just ride around."

Subscribe to BloodHorse Daily to view expanded photos of Justify's victory in the May 2 edition!