Smith Returns to Saratoga for Hall of Fame Induction

Before moving to California, jockey Mike Smith spent many successful summers at Saratoga.

Smith, the leading jockey at Saratoga from 1991 to ‘93, will be back today, but not to ride horses.

Rather, he will be one of four inductees -- along with the late trainer Sonny Hine and thoroughbreds Precisionist and Dance Smartly -- into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

A two-time Eclipse Award winner, Smith, who will turn 38 on Sunday, beat out Eddie Maple and Randy Romero in balloting earlier this year. A winner of more than 4,250 races, Smith won two Breeders’ Cup races in 2002, taking the Distaff with eventual horse of the year Azeri and the Juvenile with 2-year-old champion Vindication.

Hine, who died in 2000, was best known for his work with Skip Away, the champion 3-year-old of 1996 and the horse of the year in 1998.

Precisionist, who was effective both sprinting and routing and won the Eclipse in 1985 as the champion sprinter, won 20 of 46 starts and nearly $3.45 million for owner-breeder Fred W. Hooper. Dance Smartly, who was owned and bred by Sam-Son Farm, was the Canadian horse of the year in 1991 and the first filly to win the Canadian Triple Crown.

Race of the day: Solar Echo, who has won two of three starts for owner-breeder Janis Whitham and trainer Ron McAnally, will try two turns and turf for the first time in her career in today’s fourth at Del Mar. The 3-year-old gray daughter of former Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Spinning World will be favored in the $63,000 optional claimer at one mile. Julie Krone will ride.

One for the road: Memofromthelady makes his debut for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer after being claimed for $10,000 at Hollywood Park in June and the gelding should improve a bunch with the stable change. He gets Russell Baze in today’s fourth on the last day of racing at Santa Rosa.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta in the eighth keying Silver Yen on top with Dessert, Runaway Lollipop and Infernal McGoon in the two hole and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/17. Money: Previous day/meet total: $12.80/$104.20. Total money bet: $190.