KY HBPA Interviews: Mike Smith & More

Thursday May 1

Jockey Mike Smith (Rodriguez)

Jockey Junior Alvarado (Sovereignty)

Ron Winchell (co-owner Tiztastic)

(Shot April 30) Bret Jones, president of Airdrie Stud about the two Kentucky Derby horses bred in the name of his late father, former KY Gov. Brereton C. Jones and raised on the family’s farm in Midway, Ky. On the high end, Aidrie sold Arkansas Derby runner-up Publisher for $600,000 to Gus King at Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga yearling sale and liked the colt so well the farm stayed in for a piece of the son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Airdrie also raised and sold Louisiana Derby runner-up Chunk of Gold, who went for only $2,500 to Terry Stephens at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky’s October sale just weeks after Gov. Jones’ passing. “That’s what makes it so fun,” Bret Jones said. “It’s worked out exactly the way it’s supposed to with Chunk of Gold. He’s in the barn and with the ownership group that’s meant to be. It’s awesome to see them here at the Derby.

(Shot April 30) Jeff and Sarah Berry, co-owners of Flying Mohawk: Jeff Berry, who grew up in Owensboro going to Ellis Park with his parents, played baseball at UNC and spent one year in minor-league ball before getting his law degree and becoming one of MLB’s most powerful agents. Last November he was hired by the San Francisco Giants as advisor to former player Buster Posey, now the Giants’ president of baseball operations. Mere hours after his flight landed in Louisville, we caught up with Jeff and Sarah Berry, who race as Berry Family Racing and are co-owners in Turfway Park’s Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up Flying Mohawk. The Berrys live near Jayson Werth and got into ownership through the former Phillies outfielder and 2008 World Series champ. Their first three horses included $72,000 purchase Flying Mohawk, bought up on the recommendation of Legion Bloodstock and trained by Whit Beckman.

(Shot April 30) Flying Mohawk’s other co-owner: Jayson Werth, the retired standout outfielder on the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies World Series champions, started dabbling into horse ownership when he bought a small piece of Dornoch last year. Dornoch didn’t run well in the Kentucky Derby, but trainer Danny Gargan had him at his best for the Belmont Stakes (run at 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga because Belmont Park, with its 1 1/2-mile circumference, is being rebuilt). Now, through Legion Bloodstock, Werth is back with Flying Mohawk, whom his family’s Two Eight Racing co-owns with Berry Family Racing. Flying Mohawk earned his spot by closing strongly to take second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks over Turfway Park’s synthetic surface. The Derby will be his first start on dirt, with his first five races being on grass. Werth entertained the media this AM outside of trainer Whit Beckman’s Churchill Downs barn.

(Shot April 30) Sandman part-owner Griffin Johnson: Griffin Johnson, a social-media content creator (also known as an influencer) has been with the Sandman camp all week, pre-dawn until late. Through West Point Thoroughbreds and America’s Best Racing’s program “A Stake in Stardom,” Johnson owns 2.5% of Sandman, the Arkansas Derby winner and one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby. He’s no Griffin-come-lately, however. He got into the horse about a week after Sandman was purchased $1.2 million by a partnership that includes West Point Thoroughbreds at the OBS March sale last year. Follow Griff at @ImGriffinJohnson on TikTok (9.7M followers), Insta (2.6M), @Lmgriffjohnson X (1.6M) and other platforms. This video starts off with Johnson talking to players from the Bellarmine University men’s basketball team outside trainer Mark Casse’s barn as they wait for Sandman to train.

(Shot April 29) West Point Thoroughbreds President Terry Finley, who brought influencer Griffin Johnson into Sandman. Finley also talks about winning the 2017 Derby with Always Dreaming and moving to Bowling Green, Ky. (at the end of video)

(Shot April 29) Robbie Norman of Alabama, who paid $70,000 (much more than they anticipated) to buy Oaklawn Park’s future Rebel Stakes winner Coal Battle at the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s yearling sale upon trainer Lonnie Briley’s recommendation. Robbie discusses buying Coal Battle with an eye on a turf race at Kentucky Downs. It was a big deal when Coal Battle first earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points in the Springboard Mile, with the Derby dream coming to fruition when he secured a berth by winning the Rebel, followed by a third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby.

(Shot Tuesday, April 27: International riding star Joao Moreira, nicknamed Magic Man and the rider of Japan’s Luxor Cafe. Moreira calls it a “dream come true” to ride in the Derby. From Brazil, he rides in Hong Kong. Thanks to Alicia Hughes for video. He says he rode