Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith attends a day at the races at Kentucky Downs

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith always had a feeling he would ride the horse that would win thoroughbred racing’s most coveted title, the Triple Crown.

On June 9, he rode Justify to a win in the Belmont Stakes after winning both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Justify is the 13th horse to earn the Triple Crown title.

Thursday, Smith watched the races at Kentucky Downs and autographed posters of his Derby win in exchange for donations that will be split between the Old Friends equine retirement farms which maintains a facility at Kentucky Downs, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and The Giving Circle.

Prior to signing autographs, Smith met with the press answering questions about horses to watch, his wins and what it’s like to work for famed horse trainer Bob Baffert.

“He can make a lot of riders’ and owners’ dreams come true,” Smith said of Baffert. “He’s a brilliant, brilliant horseman. His record speaks for itself.”

Baffert has trained two Triple Crown winners, Justify and American Pharoah.

Since his winning ride in the Belmont Stake, Smith hasn’t gone back and watched the race. He doesn’t have to. Every step, he said, is etched into his memory.

“It’s just life changing,” Smith said of winning the Triple Crown. “It’s the most complete, humble feeling that you could possibly feel.”

It was “amazing’ and “overwhelming,” he said.

“I was like a butterfly. I wanted to float over to everybody and give them a hug. That’s what it feels like.

“When I crossed the wire in the Preakness it was pretty much Triple Crown for me. I thought all along that Justify’s favorite track would be the Belmont,” he said.

And, Smith has always had a hunch that he would be a Triple Crown jockey. When he won at 52 years old he set a record for being the oldest jockey to win the crown.

“I’ve always felt for some odd reason that I was going to win one,” he said. “But it took so long, like so long and to win it at this stage in my career, I think that’s the reason maybe that God made it wait so long because I appreciate it so much more because I don’t think I would have at a young age.

“I really enjoy and embrace and appreciate everything in life, really period a whole lot more.

“It was meant to be at this late, late stage and it can be done again because I ain’t done yet,” he said with a laugh.

Smith works out at least five days a week to maintain peak physical condition, he said. That’s the key to longevity for athletes.

“You’ve got to really be in top, top shape,” he said.

After he spoke with the press, Smith greeted former jockey Frank Smothers who rode horses in the 1940s and 50s. Smothers is now the jockey room custodian at Kentucky Downs. At 91, he one of the state’s oldest racing officials, Kentucky Downs marketing manager Heather Garcia said.

Smith greeted Smothers as “my California man.” As a jockey Smothers raced in California.

Smith plans to return to Kentucky Downs for the live racing event next year and would like to ride the European-style course that is one of the longest courses in North America.

“I’ve never raced here. It’s actually my first time being here, I just absolutely love it. I don’t know why I haven’t raced here yet. The purses are just amazing around here.

“I’m going to make it a point next year you can bet I’ll be riding one, the good Lord’s willing anyway and I’m healthy enough, I’ll be here,” he said.