Mike Smith is a great jockey

[Bigsmc]

Of course he is a great jockey, he's in the Hall of Fame.

[cakes44]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Of course he is a great jockey, he's in the Hall of Fame.

Earlie Fires is GREAT.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by cakes44

Earlie Fires is GREAT.

So is Point Given

[classhandicapper]

I don't want to argue about his talent as a rider, but one thing I am totally convinced of is that he loved that horse and is a pretty classy guy.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I don't want to argue about his talent as a rider, but one thing I am totally convinced of is that he loved that horse and is a pretty classy guy.

B/c he drinks wine with Chantal? He may well be classy but I don't know exactly what you are basing it on....The stories I've heard of him when he was in the Toga colony in the early 90's surely aren't too positive behind the scenes.

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

B/c he drinks wine with Chantal? He may well be classy but I don't know exactly what you are basing it on....The stories I've heard of him when he was in the Toga colony in the early 90's surely aren't too positive behind the scenes.

On Saturday before the races Smith signed 100's and 100's of Zenyatta posters before going into the jocks room. That shows some class IMO.

[asudevil]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

B/c he drinks wine with Chantal? He may well be classy but I don't know exactly what you are basing it on....The stories I've heard of him when he was in the Toga colony in the early 90's surely aren't too positive behind the scenes.

That's a long time ago. Mike is a terrific guy. He brought my kids into the paddock at Del Mar, took pictures with everyone standing near the jocks room....he is good people.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by asudevil

That's a long time ago. Mike is a terrific guy. He brought my kids into the paddock at Del Mar, took pictures with everyone standing near the jocks room....he is good people.

Glad he turned the corner.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

B/c he drinks wine with Chantal? He may well be classy but I don't know exactly what you are basing it on....The stories I've heard of him when he was in the Toga colony in the early 90's surely aren't too positive behind the scenes.

I called him classy because of the way he has carried himself under intense pressure and because of the way he cares about the horse.

[keithting]

Not to change the subject - but I'm interested in who this group would name as a great jockey - I saw some GREAT riders in the 70's and 80's in NY - -Cauthen, Cordero, Velasquez, etc.

but in his prime, for my money, I'd take Laffit Pincay, Jr. in a heartbeat

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

B/c he drinks wine with Chantal? He may well be classy but I don't know exactly what you are basing it on....The stories I've heard of him when he was in the Toga colony in the early 90's surely aren't too positive behind the scenes.

Ive met him on three occasions now. He is gracious, humble and extremely cordial. I don't know what he did 20 years ago when he was a kid (just imagine if we were all judged by what we did in our teens and twenties), but as an adult he comports himself like a gentleman...from what I've seen and from anyone that has ever talked about him.

Call him a stinky rider if you want. I know I wouldn't bet him in a turf race with Smooth Operator's mutual fund money. At the same time, I think the question of his class is below the belt and unwarranted.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Ive met him on three occasions now. He is gracious, humble and extremely cordial. I don't know what he did 20 years ago when he was a kid (just imagine if we were all judged by what we did in our teens and twenties), but as an adult he comports himself like a gentleman...from what I've seen and from anyone that has ever talked about him.

Call him a stinky rider if you want. I know I wouldn't bet him in a turf race with Smooth Operator's mutual fund money. At the same time, I think the question of his class is below the belt and unwarranted.

he is better than ramon on the big days dala

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Call him a stinky rider if you want. I know I wouldn't bet him in a turf race with Smooth Operator's mutual fund money.

Really? I would.

That would be a good example for Serling to root against himself if he did that too.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Ive met him on three occasions now. He is gracious, humble and extremely cordial. I don't know what he did 20 years ago when he was a kid (just imagine if we were all judged by what we did in our teens and twenties), but as an adult he comports himself like a gentleman...from what I've seen and from anyone that has ever talked about him.

Call him a stinky rider if you want. I know I wouldn't bet him in a turf race with Smooth Operator's mutual fund money. At the same time, I think the question of his class is below the belt and unwarranted.

Why even respond? Randall is now tight with Mike Smith, or even knows him enough to have dirt on him? Plus, he is talking about 20 years ago. **** I regret **** I did 6 months ago, and 5 years ago I wont even talk about it. Not really sure what makes him qualified to come on and bash Mike Smith. I have been fortunate enough to meet 5 jockets. The Mig and Mike Smith are far and away the 2 nicest I met. Mike took a lot of time to talk horses with me, sign autographs and was very nice and just a normal guy.