Smith will ride Chocolate Candy in Derby
Mike Smith, who won the 2005 Kentucky Derby aboard 50-1 long shot Giacomo, has gained the mount on viable contender Chocolate Candy in this year's running of the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 2. Russell Baze, reportedly very upset that he did not get the mount, rode Chocolate Candy to two stakes victories at Golden Gate Fields to begin the year, and Joel Rosario was aboard the son of Candy Ride for his runner-up effort behind Pioneerof the Nile in the Santa Anita Derby on April 4.
Chocolate Candy has been competitive against the West's top 3-year-olds, running third behind Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park on Dec. 20 and then turning in his huge effort behind the Bob Baffert-trained Pioneerof the Nile in the Santa Anita Derby. If he takes to the dirt the way I Want Revenge and Papa Clem have, he'll be a very dangerous horse come Derby day because of his closing kick down that long stretch.
Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Chocolate Candy worked five furlongs Sunday morning at Santa Anita in :59.20 under Smith, who was aboard for the drill to familiarize himself with the colt before he leaves for Kentucky on Tuesday morning. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he was happy with the drill and that Smith will work the colt twice at Churchill Downs before the race.
I think the best chance this horse has is with Mr Rosario or Mr Baze up there is not way to pick a jockey to win the Kentucky derby.it is hard going to war w/o knowing your weapon.do you thing at this moment M SMITH is so much better than MR BAZE OR MR ROSARIO? if you go by the numbers doesn't look so.SOME people get lucky in one way but they stop in the other way.ANY WAY GOOD LUCK TO THIS CONNECTION.
Tony,
I think the major reason why the connections of Chocolate Candy went with Mike Smith is because he has won a Kentucky Derby before -- Giacomo in 2005 -- and has more experience at Churchill Downs than either Base or Rosario. I don't think the decision was in any way a knock against those two riders, just the connections trying to give themselves the best chance to win the race.
Not to take anything away from the other two Jockey's
But Mike Smith is an awesome Jockey and a hell of a nice and humble guy. He has a spedial nack especially around two turns... I have watched him since he started out at Canterbury Downs... Look forward to seeing him on this Horse ... God Bless and best wishes for the win.
Not to take anything away from the other two Jockey's
But Mike Smith is an awesome Jockey and a hell of a nice and humble guy. He has a special knack especially around two turns... I have watched him since he started out at Canterbury Downs... Look forward to seeing him on this Horse ... God Bless and Best wishes for the win. Seems like a Great Combo Just feels Right.