2011 Breeders' Cup Results: Mike Smith Rebounds After Tough Loss with Zenyatta

After failing to capture his second straight Breeders' Cup Classic aboard Zenyatta last year, jockey Mike Smith was devastated.

But, hey, two Classic wins in the last three years ain't bad.

Saturday's victory with 14-to-1 darkhorse Drosselmeyer was certainly a classic.

Wrote Smith, via ESPN:

"

Last year I sat here just devastated, thinking my life was over. What a difference a year makes.

"

Indeed.

Drosselmeyer wasn't even in the discussion among such favorites as Uncle Mo, Havre de Grace, Game on Dude and Flat Out before Saturday's race. The 4-year-old colt had won once in his last six starts since capturing the Belmont Stakes in 2010.

But Smith, a storied jockey, knew he had something in Drosselmeyer from the start.

Wrote Smith:

"

As soon as I found out I was riding Drosselmeyer, I kept praying about it. Like wow, this could really take the sting away. I was extremely excited. I had ridden him once, a win in the Belmont Stakes, and to get a chance to ride him back in the Classic, I don't know, I just got this good feeling as soon as I found out.

"

And as odd as it must have been for Smith to storm back and beat his ex-fiance Chantal Sutherland on Saturday, it's only further proof that the Hall of Famer still has it on the track.

Some jockeys have but a few chances to win a big race.

All Smith does is shake a heartbreaking loss off, get aboard a 14-to-1 darkhorse, and ride him to a Breeders' Cup Classic victory.

Yeah, life is hard for Mike Smith.