Jockey Jerry Bailey will replace Mike Smith as rider of the unbeaten colt Vindication, the early favorite for this year’s Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert said yesterday.
Vindication (by Seattle Slew), who’s expected to be named 2-year-old champ Monday night at the Eclipse Awards dinner in Beverly Hills, was 4-for-4 with Smith aboard last year, including a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
“Jerry and I go back,” explained Baffert, who has yet to pick a spot for Vindication’s 3-year-old debut. “He’s been a big rider in pressure spots and won a lot of big races for me. He brings a little extra.
“It was tough to tell Mike. He’s a sweetheart, and I felt really bad. I told him I’m giving Jerry first shot on my big horses, and he was fine with it. If Jerry doesn’t like him or picks up another horse, Mike will get the mount back.
“I follow my instincts. It was a business decision I made myself. I know a lot of people don’t like what I do, but I’m fine with it.”
“I’m still scratching my head,” said Smith’s agent, Brian Beach. “We’re undefeated on the horse. Everybody knows what kind of a guy Mike Smith is, and sometimes people take advantage of that.”