Speaker Identification

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto - Host. Identified because he explicitly introduces himself as the host near the beginning of the recording and conducts both interviews.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith - Guest. Identified because Mark Otto explicitly introduces Mike Smith as a Hall of Fame jockey and addresses him by name throughout the first interview.

Speaker 3 - Prerecorded Theme Vocal / Show Music. Identified from the sung or promotional lyric passages that open, bridge, and close the program.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson - Guest. Identified because Mark Otto explicitly welcomes Buck Wilson by name in the second half of the program and describes him as a longtime friend of the show.

Speaker 3 - Prerecorded Theme Vocal:
I've been down roads from Churchill to L.A. Met kings of speed and stars along the way
They got stories that the cameras never show Yeah, the truth behind the fame is what we know
From the saddle to the silver screen blow Fast lanes and punch lines on a late night show
You think you've seen it all, but you don't know the half Till the curtain lifts and we all have a laugh
It's not just who they are It's how they came to be
A little horsepower A little mystery A Hollywood and Horsepower baby
Take a ride where the legends laugh and the engines never hide
From the track to the spotlight stories unwind Yeah, the truth's a little wild
One of a kind Hollywood and Horsepower Where the real ones show every twist and turn
Is a tale you didn't know So pour a drink sit back
Enjoy the show Where the fast and famous
Let it all go

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Welcome to Hollywood and Horsepower I'm your host Mark Otto And we're brought to you today by Tony's Steak and Seafood We're joined by a very special guest today. A guy that needs no introduction, but I will introduce him Mike Smith Hall of Fame jockey Great guy and I really appreciate you joining the show Mike.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Thank you. I appreciate it nice to be on.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: No, it's great to catch up with you again We haven't talked in a while and I just wanted to get back with you and kind of see how things are going. And I know you're still as busy as you've ever been You told me you're riding seven tomorrow. Yeah You're down at Del Mar right now.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Yes, yes, I am.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: How many total starts do you have as of right now? I know it's constantly changing. Do you even know the number?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: How many races I've ridden.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Yeah, I know it's up over 35,000.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: You're probably about right somewhere around there maybe a little more. Yeah.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: That is crazy. Well, congratulations on an amazing career You know, you're still going strong and I think it's amazing Triple Crown winner. And I just kind of wanted to you know introduce our people to you because you know our audience is a little bit different. We're not straight horse racing. We have a lot of people in and out of horse racing. And you know we try to bring things and talk a little bit about what people might not know about you. So I think a lot of people don't realize, you know, your dad was a jockey. You know, George Smith and you know you grew up in Roswell, New Mexico. Talk a little bit about that. What was that like growing up with a dad for a jockey?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Well, you know when my father rode, I wasn't even born yet Oh, well, my father rode. Yeah, he uh, yeah, he wrote before I was born. So what you know. By the time I came along he'd already outgrown the job. So you know my uncle though was a trainer and had horses and. You know, I was kind of raised right there on the ranch and You know, that's all I knew was horses to be honest with you. So I started at a very young age. and then the sport took me away very young as well too. I mean, I started riding when I was you know 15 and I was in. All over the midwest and You know, Kentucky and Nebraska and Arkansas and Chicago Until the late '80s, and then that's when I moved to New York. I stayed in New York from 1989 until about 2001 And then moved to California and I've been based out here ever since.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So for people that don't know, you know for a jockey is There was no age limit you could start riding competitively at such a young age.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Well, officially it's 16 now but way back then You know, you could get away if you're a few months away from your birthday. You know, you could get away with it, but now it's 16 years old.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So it's 16 you were already traveling around the country riding for different trainers and. For people outside your family, not just your uncle.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Oh, yeah, so I started, you know in New Mexico, but I was probably only in New Mexico about Four months three or four months and then uh, I went to Hot Springs, Arkansas and Nebraska. To Kentucky and Just all over the midwest for a while and like I said the late 80s and then that's when I moved out to New York.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So what took you to New York just opportunity or at that time was that where the industry was the strongest?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: I you know back then, you know, that's where everyone either wanted to win, you know end up in On the west coast here in California or New York those are the two biggest places to race, you know.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So is that what would you consider the big time, you know Either playing for the Dodgers or the Yankees if you were in baseball, you know, sure. It's kind of where you wanted to be, you know So was it hard to transition to California when that time came?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: No, no, no, not at all.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: By then you had a name and you were already in demand. I'm sure.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: I came to California in 2001, and I was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 I'd already yeah, I had a pretty big career, you know.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So who were some of the people that you looked up to when you were young starting out? As far as riders are concerned riders or trainers or guys that kind of helped you through the industry and that you kind of. Meant, you know that you kind of looked at for guidance and whatnot.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Yeah, as far as riders early on you know pat day with someone I really looked up to he was a big mentor to me. Pat day john lively Larry Schneider You know, these guys Earlie Fires these guys that were you know king of the midwest at the time. And pat day really kind of took me under his wing and really taught me a whole lot Not just about riding but on and off the track. He is a wonderful man. And so I really love the man in person and Shug McGaughey and Bill Mott were the two trainers that I rode a lot for in the midwest. Before they both moved to New York and then I followed all of them shortly after you know.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Okay Is that generally what kind of drives a jockey's path is where the trainers go like you kind of get.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Yeah, sometimes. I mean, it could be several different things, but yeah, that's definitely one of them. Yes.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So you get you know your career took off you moved to California and things really take off. I mean, you know the numbers speak for themselves and obviously your career is very well known. What were some of those things that you got into off the track. Like I know your time is short. I know, you know jockeys have a demanding schedule between, you know mornings and you know Race days and everything else. What are some of the things you like doing? You're not racing.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: I'm I'm a gym rat man. I'm a physical, you know a physical fitness is just a way of life for me. So man, I every day off, you'll find me in the gym nine times out of ten and I mean, I'm just there all the time.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And I'm sure that's my necessity to keep yourself being.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: You know, not everybody does it, you know, but I took a liking to it very early in my early on in my career and in my life and now it's paying off. You know, here. I am instead of playing golf and it, you know. Doing a bunch of other things, but I stayed working now. I'm 60 years old. I still feel like I'm 20 30 man. I mean, it's it's crazy, but it certainly paid off if I did anything right that was one of them right there, you know.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: No, I mean, that's you know for what you do it really anybody. I mean, I'm the same way I spent a lot of time at the gym and. You know, if you don't you know take care of yourself, you'll you'll wish that you did. And I'm sure it's even more critical for a jockey, you know, I mean, you're balancing there's a lot there's a lot to it this there's a lot of physicalness to it. And it's like I'm sure that the more fit you are and the stronger you are the easier your life is in like days like tomorrow. You get seven races. I mean, that's that's a lot Does that is that something that's like the biggest challenge is back to back, you know busy days like that? Does that get really tough as the day goes on It depends on how your day is going, really, you know adrenaline or if you can win one early man. I mean, it just keeps you going man. You know, if you're having a rough day. I mean, two races could be very tiring and horrible, you know, I mean, but if you're doing well in your horses running well. Seven is not that hard really to be honest with you. I mean, you can I'd be hitting my second wind by the time I get to the seventh one to be honest with you know, but again, it just depends how your day's going man. If you're having a pretty rough day well, and then you know your morale is down and your spirits are down. And you just normally just tired, you know But if they were going well, you could ride 10 man, and it's not a problem. What's the most you've rode in one day?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: By 11 or 12 races one day, I think maybe Yeah, like 12 maybe 13 races in one day.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Wow And that would be almost hopping off one hopping on another wouldn't it you pretty much it'd be the full card. Yeah. So tomorrow there's 11 races. I write seven out of the 11 Which is a lot for me at this stage of my career. I mean, that it's a whole lot. I know I'll be riding anywhere from two to four or four a day and that's about it. But seven is it's really good, especially if I can start winning early on, you know Do you have a specific distance or surface that you prefer or just is it more about the horse?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Wherever I'm riding the best horse, whatever surface or distance that may be, it really doesn't matter.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Okay, got no different this and grass requires a little more strategy. You know, you save more ground on the grass and you would on dirt. Because of kickback and stuff like that, but uh, but really I mean, when you're riding a good horse on any surface or distance. It's it's nothing like it when you're riding especially when you're riding the best horse. So for people that are just joining us on wood mic smith hall of fame jockey and we're talking about his career One of the things that I've always wondered and I know a lot of probably a lot of our listeners since you're out cycler facing. 100 How do you prepare? I think a lot of people don't realize In I know in your case, sometimes you do exercise or work with horses, but a lot of times you're not the one that works the horse. How do you prepare for a race day? Do you go and watch that horse ahead of time? Do you study their Study them a lot or what how do you prepare for? For a race like if it's a horse that you don't know very well, you start out by handicapping, right? You look at the past performances? I mean, we just go with the past performances and you know, you can see who has speed who doesn't you know Who's supposedly the better horse and who's not who to follow who not to follow and you can go back and watch. Replays you need to you know, I mean, they're they're all on your phone nowadays man It's so easy now compared to back in the 80s when you think we didn't even have phones. You can even watch replays, you know, but these horses are trained so they're so forward man They're so they're trained to the tee and I mean, so. You know, it's even a matter of listening to the trainer and seeing what ideas he has and then you go out there and. Sometimes you just have to throw it all out the window and go with plan B. You know, I mean, it just depends on what. But what transpires in the race, you know, if the horse jumps well and everything's going right well. You know, you pretty much uh, you've already handicapped it You know, who like I said who the speed is and who the horses to follow or if you're on the front. It's all about dictate in the pace, you know, if you're on the lead and you know, uh rate them, you know and get them to finish whenever you call on them, uh, but they're really forward. So ride the horse you've never been on it's not unusual and it's not hard. Yeah, and that's what I was trying to get to because yeah, I mean, this if you like that.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: If they have any bad habits the trainer pretty much knows about it You know, they'll tell you and if they show one, you know during the race where you just you know. You've learned something and you can use it to your advantage. Thanks. I'm your item. You know, .

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Now do you find that? Is it easier with a horse that you've ridden in an ongoing so like say Zenyatta or Game On Dude Or does doesn't it really matter? I mean, I would assume it would get easier to kind of get some other horse and gets know their personality.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Yeah, and then you know, I mean, listen, it's just like people right? I mean, sometimes the first time you meet someone is the best time. You know, the more you get to know the more you don't care to be around them and then Sometimes the more you get to know them the more you like them and the more you want to be around them, right? So it's just like people it really is and You know, when you do know them well if they're not acting quite right well, you're kind of worried. You're like, man, he's not acting like normally does and then you know, there's nothing There's not a whole lot you can do about it, you know. And when you don't know them and just kind of just ride it as it comes up so it could be to your advantage. It could be a disadvantage. It just all depends. Okay.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So I have to ask you the question. I mean, this more on a personal level Game On Dude Game On Dude is my favorite horse of all time and I don't think I ever told you this but you know. As you know, I came from outside horse racing Back when you were riding him I didn't know you then I didn't know Bob then but I was working in southern California a lot. And I would follow him because his name caught my eye. I was interested, and I'd go to Santa Anita once in a while and. What was he like his race horse? I've been around him a lot as you know, I'm very involved with Old Friends. By the way, Michael Blowen told me to tell you hello Game On Dude's asking for you.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: All right, yeah, so Michael I said I matter of fact I just ran into the majority owner uh Bernie Do you see other day at having lunch? oh wow Yeah, I got to chat with him bony cap. Yeah, so that was kind of cool and funny you're mentioning him after I just ran into. Ran indium and lunch day before yesterday, but uh, you know, he was kind of horse that you would love to he's been. If he was a person he was a kind of guy that you would love to hang out with man. I mean, just as honest as the day comes and just straightforward He was a blue collar kind of horse man. I mean, He showed up every time man. If he didn't win he was like. You know, he was cool about what it was like when he was racing because I obviously didn't see him face to face until he retired. I remember gill Baffert called bicone said, you know, do you have room for a little brown horse and it was I Don't get starstruck. I mean, I've worked around celebrities and known people most of my career. You know, people are people. I'm kind of like you. I like people because of who they are not what they are Game On Dude when he walked off the truck for me. It was like seeing Elvis walk in the room. You know, it was just kind of like wow He had a little about him. He was a cool horse. He wasn't very big. I mean, when you seen him he wasn't a big horse, but no it was just a way he looked the way he walked the way he acted. he was just a cool dude, man. I mean, he really He carried his head high and was always looking around. And he's really gentle So, yeah, I mean, he was I'll give you an idea. So I'm pretty protective of my two kids, Keith and Grace as you know and. Grace what Grace is actually the same age is Game On Dude And when we when he came to Old Friends I got a picture sits in my office of Grace sitting on the fence and Game On Dude resting his head. And there are not many horses that I would let do that with my daughter, and he was very gentle, you know. Yeah, he was a good per he was a good horse and he would if he'd been a person like I said. he was the kind of guy that he'd won around all the time, you know. So What was Zenyatta like that was another really famous one and I'd probably get bad letters if I didn't at least ask about her. Yeah, you listen, uh You know, around the barn and off the track, she was a sweetheart as well She loved kids. She loved people you could come rub on her pet on her. But on when she stepped onto the racetrack man I mean, the game was on man. She started. I mean, you didn't want to mess with her man. She the dancing started and the just you know You would think the way she was acting that she would have been a speed horse, you know very aggressive. But once the doors opened when she just kind of gave everyone a head start and said just tell me when you want to catch him. She was wow and she would just catch them like that. I mean, it was that easy for her She was just that good.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Did she like to come on?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Oh, yeah Oh, yeah, that was her man. She loved to watch him for a little while and then she did tell me all right. I've had enough of this you ready boom and man, she would just catch him that fast You.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Like you would know she was ready to go just by the way she felt.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Oh, yeah, she would start catching them. I mean, matter of fact you would sometimes you would think that you've left her too much to do that she's too far back and then all of a sudden you'd move on her and then you would think. Oh, man, I'm gonna hit the front way too soon. I mean, she could catch him that quick. I mean, she was just she had some turn of foot. She was you know she was 17.2 hands So she would have been like if she was a person she'd have been you know seven foot tall man. I mean, but the extremely athletic. On top of it. So it was you know she was just she was just something that We may never see one as good as her again. She was just amazing.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So that kind of brings up the next question. It's like who Would you say was the best horse you ever rode? Was it Zenyatta?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Oh, yeah, she was certainly one of them on the best fillies I ever rode. I rode some really good fillies man. But I was blessed to ridden some really good horses as well. I mean, if you go back and look at Arrogate. And you know, Arrogate Justify and Holy Bull Even go back and you know, yeah, you name them. I've ridden some great horses. And you know it all depends on distance on where they ran who they ran and but listen they all at in their time. And they were the best of the best. So You know, if they ran together, who knows man, you'll probably had a different winner every time, you know, I mean, your first Breeders' Cup was on Lure, and Lure was a legend. He was a monsoon man. he was insane and during his time and no one could beat him on you know on the grass. And they just couldn't not No one in America couldn't No one all over the world could it you know when he went when he went back to back Breeders' Cup. He beat the best of the best, you know.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And that's amazing and you know, that is an interesting point You know, a lot of people talk and not just taking anything away from but it's an amazing. Serious, but do you think about the Triple Crown and like Kentucky Derby? But there's something about Breeders' Cup. It's almost like another level because it is like the world stage.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: You know, it's exactly right And that's exactly what it is so impressive to me. I think I can't sometimes kind of underappreciate it. You know, what I mean, ? Like people don't talk about it as much and I feel like it's almost more of a true competition in a weird way, you know, it's like this is everybody. This is you went on that stage you won. I mean, there's that's pretty impressive. And you pretty much beat the best in the world. Yeah, because I mean, those are the best of the best and it is pretty amazing.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: You know, and that kind of brings up the Triple Crown, you know, I mean, Justify that had to be just like a. You know, a career Checkbox for sure to you know, there's very few jockeys that have accomplished that and I mean, everybody comes just tried and several people have come very close and you know, it and it takes so much. To get there and not take anything away from anybody that didn't get there. It's just almost uh, amazing on somebody does I mean, what was that like for you?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: It's only been done 13 times in the history of horse racing so it is extremely difficult to do and Listen, it's the Holy Grail, you know, it's the one that everyone. Look everyone wants to win a Triple Crown race, right? But when you can win all three of them and then to do it The way he did it and to go and beat and doing it's like it's it's it's as great as it gets. Well, you don't get any better than that.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: No, and I was very fortunate by that time, you know Through, you know Old Friends. You know, Bob and Joe were gracious enough that you know Michael Blowen and I were around quite a bit and we saw that kind of upfront and. She wasn't amazing horse. I mean, it was just.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Well, it was especially in his offspring, you know as he's going on as a sire. I mean, he's gonna go down as being one of the greatest sires of all time. I mean, he's yeah It's gonna show when you know, we'd love to see him run as a four-year-old but. injury kind of you know took care of that part But I mean, he goes down as the only undefeated Triple Crown winner there ever was so he even made special.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And he was he seemed like he was Just had a look like I mean, I'm no expert people have forgotten more than I know but. It looked like he just had a really long stride like he just stretched way out. I mean, .

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: He was just an athlete if he was again He was just if you put him up when you saw him next to the other three-year-olds that year. He just towered over them. He was just bigger faster and stronger man. I mean, he just looked better you could literally see it. The difference between him and in your in your average three-year-old. I mean, he was just He was a beast. He was like LeBron James would have been in high school. When LeBron was coming up, I mean, he just was bigger stronger and faster. That's all how did you.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: What point did you kind of feel like? You know, what this guy might actually be able to do it. Was it all the way to Belmont or did you kind of feel it early on?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Well, we felt it early on You know, I think they knew before he even came to the track. He was already highly regarded. I mean, you know, he came to the track already They knew he was above average. And he was special and then once he started training and Bob started training and getting in fit and ready man He just dominated in the morning. He would just crush everything there was and not just a little but I mean, just crush them. So you knew that there was something special there and then of course once you're able to pull off and win the first one. Well, then you know, you can't help but think of the rest of him, you know. And but and I just I you just knew that he was that kind of horse and he could do it and he did it.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Well in the combination with you and Bob is pretty remarkable too I mean, you guys it's kind of a almost a running joke in the industry. I heard people say it all the time if my training for writing for Bob, you can pretty much cash your ticket It's like.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Everybody yeah, I mean, there was a time we were winning in stakes races Probably in the 60 something percent maybe say Of the times 75 percent of the time, man. It was crazy that one year especially. You know, we I don't know how many stakes I won for him that one year. It was crazy Are you writing for Bob tomorrow? Nothing for him tomorrow. hopefully sometime soon. I saw him the other day. He said he'll have some for me soon. So hopefully we'll have some good for me. It'll be nice.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So what's life like off the track today? I know you're married Family and everything house all that everything good normally I'd be writing but I don't write today. But I have a.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: I worked out earlier and then got a got a business meeting. I got to meet with some people that are in town. For the weekend here Del Mar for the big races and I Hang out with him a little bit and that's it. Just rest up tonight get ready for tomorrow's gonna be a big day man.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Nice Now does your wife come down and stay at Del Mar with you?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Oh, yeah, we have a home here in Carlsbad and we have a home here and one up by Santa Anita. So yeah, we come stay here at our place in the summertime And yeah, you'll enjoy the Around but especially in the summer, you know. Yeah.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: That's one of my favorite tracks in the country. I mean, it's it's such a beautiful place and Just a nice area. What's your favorite track to be at?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: well, this is definitely one of them Del Mar and Santa Anita of course and Saratoga Great place to race and I love Lexington, Kentucky, and Keeneland. And then one that would kind of you would if you'd ever been you should go and that's Oaklawn Park.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Yeah, I have that Oaklawn is a hidden gem, you know And good here and talk about it. But I would encourage people to do that too. I always tell people if you're anywhere near any of the tracks around the country. It's a great way to spend an afternoon and you know what is that sport? It's one of those few sports where you can get up close and. See things and be close to people like yourself and the horses and the trainers and. I mean, you could be standing a few feet away, you know You could almost hear the conversation between you and the trainer. Well before you get on the horse. So I think.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: One thing about this sport it brings all kinds together, man You could be standing next to the president and you wouldn't be shocked at the racetrack believe it or not. Or no, country stars and you know athletes and movie stars. I mean, it brings everyone together. It's pretty it's a pretty cool pretty cool sport in that way. How it does that, you know.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: That's great. Well, what's next Mike? I mean, a plan to keep riding. I mean, what do you have planned out in the future? What do you think you'll do? You're gonna continue ride for the foreseeable future or what are your thoughts?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Yeah, you know, we're gonna finish the year out mark and we'll see how next year going into next year We're certainly going to start the year off and see if I can. Land a pretty nice three-year-old that's heading into the into the Triple Crown series. And see if we can take another good shot at it. I love to go a whole another year next year. So and I'm I feel so I swear to you. I mean, great shape. I mean, I'm in as good a shape now as I've been in. My whole career really I mean, I did so why not I really enjoy riding just you know I don't ride as much as I used to but I still love you being around the people and the horses and riding good horses and. I love to go another year if possible But Lord's willing and I stay healthy and I'd love to do that.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And I'm sure at this point you can be selective about what you want to ride and where you want to ride it too.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Well, listen, you know, we just kind of like quality over quantity right now. And then we just try to try to pick up something that's That has that kind of stakes quality and especially the young ones coming up. But to get ready for you know for next year for the Triple Crown. So we're looking for some two-year-olds and Hopefully you will come across one.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Yeah, I'm sure you will. I mean, the People seek you out. So I don't have any doubt that you'll have an opportunity and a horse that you like. Are you gonna be coming to Kentucky this fall?

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: I'll be actually going to Kentucky Downss here in the next week. I'll be there on the 29th to ride there at Kentucky Downss so. And uh, yeah, so and then hopefully anything in a little bit this year. So we'll see of course.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Another hidden gem. I always tell people it's a really unique track. It's it's a great place to go It's a very European-style track.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Exactly. I just it's gonna be the first time I've ridden there. So I haven't actually even ridden there. So I'm looking forward to it's a really unique track. I mean, the you know, it's like uphill to the finish line. It's uh, it's not an oval. It's like the European style and it's just cool. Yeah, so wait man.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: You heard the joke you about the licenses there, right? So now years ago, I guess they used to mess with new jockeys jockey would come in and I heard this from Corey Johnson when he owned it. Jockeys would come in and as you know, there's actually I guess a piece of the property that dips into Tennessee that's how close Kentucky Downss is to the Tennessee line. So if they had a new young jockey dude catch him in the locker room and say did you get your Tennessee license? And he's like, what do you mean? And he's like, well that back corner goes into Tennessee. If you don't have a It's gonna be sitting there waiting for you can't go through there and the guy you know his face would just go blank and there was no. Tennessee license but.

Speaker 2 - Mike Smith: Yeah, we used to say that about that New Mexico as well there it didn't El Paso jackus It's part of it from the New Mexico state line. So we used to say the same thing about if you rode there. It's some in part, you know.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: That's hilarious. Now. I love those stories Well, I know you've got to get going Mike you got another meeting coming up. But I can't thank you enough for joining us today And I really need my friend. I need time. I enjoy talking to you. We have to catch up when you get over this way if you're in Kentucky, let me know we'll set you up with dinner for it. tony's would love to see you got it my friends. Thank you, brother. I appreciate it Be well and I'll talk to you.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: It's been my day for this. Thanks Mike. So I'm like this was today on Hollywood and Horsepower Really appreciate everybody joining us. We're brought to you today by Tony's Steak and Seafood in Lexington. Indianapolis Bowling Green and Cincinnati We also support OldFriendsEquine.org And No Fallen Heroes if you can't do a lot do what you can We really enjoy talking to Mike. He's a terrific jockey. He's been just I mean, his numbers speak for themselves. But it really brings up a bigger point, you know in your travels if you're looking for something to do. You know, this is a perfect example, you know go find a race track. You know, it doesn't matter where your travels take you chances are there's track bigger small close by Go check it out. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. It's one of the few sports that you can get up close to the people in the sport like Mike Smith Bob Baffert, you know. All the stars and you know, you can stand right there and you know Almost hear the hoofbeats as they go by and it isn't expensive. It's something that's you know. Good for everybody somebody, you know, there's something for everybody and it's worth checking out. You know, one of them coming up. We're gonna start another series on Hollywood and Horsepower is. You know, the history of comedy So as you know with this show, we do a lot of different things we shift gears fairly often. So talking about horse racing we talk about Hollywood. We're gonna talk about comedy. And I think a lot of people don't know where a lot of people get their start or where the. You know, comedians come from where they end up, you know how they get into things and much like horse racing. You know, there's definitely a lot that people don't see So under the advice of you know the first lady of Hollywood marge. You were gonna do a series on. Comedy and I think it's a great idea. You know, a lot of people won't realize that many people I had somebody say to me the day. We were talking about David Spade. And they said I didn't realize he did stand up which kind of stunned me. But you know Spade did stand up for almost 10 years Before he got to SNL and I think a lot of people don't realize that you know. There's a lot of people out there that you know have had what appears to be an overnight success. And the running joke is you know, I work 10 years to be an overnight success. So I think that's one of the series that we're gonna have coming up and check us out on Instagram check Look always take a look at BBS. Network for our page you can check all of our archives you can look at any past shows and you can see about anything coming up. We have a new sponsor here on the show called BlueNile.com if you're looking for Anniversary gift engagement ring wedding rings whatever the occasion may be BlueNile.com.

Speaker 3 - Prerecorded Theme Vocal: You ever wonder I really started Not the headlines The part no one tells There's a road behind every name you know Long before the lights and they have to show. Before the cameras roll before the crowd There was a quiet dream set out loud In a garage or a back lot scene in between the lines of what could have been. Every turn every chance they took a story you won't find in a history book It ain't about the fame when you strip it down. It's about the road that got them there somehow Hollywood and Horsepower take it slow Where the truth runs deeper than the world was shown. From the fast lane life to the silver screen It's the story behind it all we want to know Hollywood and Horsepower full of the chair. Every voice got a journey that brought on here Yeah, we laugh. Yeah, we learn. Yeah, we lean in close To the moments that matter the most.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: We're brought to you today by Tony's Steak and Seafood here at Hollywood horse power. This has been Mike Smith that joined us today. We had a really great conversation with him. And you know learned a lot about him. We're also brought to you by Cutler Nutrition, Jay Cutler for time mr once you add if you're in fitness at any level take a moment go to the nutrition take a look at your. How Personally jake sent me some things and I've been using them and I'm really pleased with the performance It's designed and developed by somebody that uses these things every day. They're safe they're effective and they're worth the time and he's running some great promos BlueNile.com is a new partner here at the show. They have a 40 off sale right now if you have. The time and you're looking for the special ring a special anniversary present a birthday present Graduation whatever it may be BlueNile.com has everything from small to large. And anything in between lab grown natural white gold yellow gold platinum You design it you pick it out and they will send it to you in a plain box. So that you can impress her without her knowing what you did BlueNile.com.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: It was nice that Mike took time to join us today. We're back with a really good friend of mine Buck Wilson. No stranger to the show. He's like family and we're you know Buck welcome to the show We wanted to talk a little bit about you know Mike and horse racing and where we things are going. And then kind of lead into our next segment which is going to be you know comedy. So, you know How are you guys doing down there?

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Oh, it's it's an interesting time of the year down here. We pick up the Let's call it the storm season Some places that call it the monsoon. Yeah, it's uh, it's one of those but on the pacific side. They call it tropical storms Whatever nonetheless the same thing starts happening and this year because of the Super El Niño. We've had a really interesting bout of weather where it is like it is today. It's in the mid 90s it's humid like always but there's a breeze and. Get a [beverage name unclear] and sit in the pool. It's nothing to go to tears about but we've had this conveyor belt of storms coming through. Where and I mean, I've lived here for years You know, five inches of rain in a year sometimes is A big deal. We have had storm after storm after storm. Come through but they only likes for a few hours and then blow over but it's just it's just enough storm where you have some. Interesting things little bits of You know, repair little bits of wind we actually had A real good one the other night, but I'm looking out my back window right now and. It's absolutely calm and blue and beautiful. So it's just These are what we call first world problems in a third world, right?

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Exactly. It's just this is life in San Carlos, Mexico sitting on the Sea of Cortez Not a bad. Yeah, if you can get it.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Nope and when you get down we make that comment to each other all the expats we make that comment to each other. That the biggest problem we've got today is that somebody else is cleaning up the mess. So yeah.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: No, it's a great place to be so for those just joining us. We had Mike Smith on today We're joined now by Buck Wilson friend of the show and real good friend of mine. We um. You know, I don't know, you know, you grew up in southern California. So you probably Saw Mike racing early in his career. I mean, he started out in Roswell, New Mexico. Went on ran his first something I didn't realize He ran his first professional now it was kind of what they would call a bush track. You know, smaller track outside of Roswell, but he ran his first Professional race at 11 years old. I mean, that's almost hard to comprehend. He received his first eclipse award. You remember what those are the eclipse award for people outside the horse industry It's kind of like the grammys of horse racing. So once a year we all gather in south florida golf stream park Usually or somewhere outside the last year was up at the breakers. The um industry recognizes significant achievements in both horses jockeys trainers and owners And media actually he received his first eclipse award at 16 years old which is. Amazing and it was for outstanding jockey, which is I believe the first time a young rider received that normally They received something like a apprentice jockey. He Hit his first Triple Crown in 2018.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Justified and I was fortunate enough to be there for that but going back.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: You know, I know that like you used to go to Hollywood Park and sanitin probably even Del Martino like with your when you were kid. Did you do you remember seeing Mike race?

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: I don't Okay. Yeah for a number. Yeah for a member In the days when I was running the track. Oh When my dad and I were doing that back in the time of Willie Shoemaker and other riders of that era [additional names unclear in source].

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: I was just going to say that was actually probably the generation before Mike. So Mike Would have been the next generation by then you would have probably already been working up in the north west.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: I was yes.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Because he was really You know, I remember back when you and I were at credence You remember you know, I spent a lot of time in southern California because we had a lot of bigger accounts there. Sure, and um.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: One of the things that I remember was Game On Dude.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And obviously I wasn't involved in horse racing. I was really focused more on you know, I worked with studios Worked a lot of the bigger hardware worked with a lot of the different industries throughout Hollywood that we went into. You know, it was in or I don't even remember what caught my eye. You know, I didn't grow up with horse racing, but I do remember I think it was the name, you know Game On Dude. It just kind of jumped off the page And then obviously Bob Baffert was a trainer. And even before I you know, it's kind of funny, you know, I consider Bob a friend today. And Joe was on the show a few weeks ago.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But you know at that time I didn't even know him to me. He was kind of a legend.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: You know, you'd watching walking around and it was just almost surreal I remember you know, I don't get starstruck. I guess I did get starstruck the first time I saw Game On Dude in person. And it's funny because Michael Blowen and I have talked about this his favorite horse of all time obviously everybody knows no secret was. Silver charm He has silver charm with Old Friends and Georgetown, Kentucky When michael got the call for Game On Dude to come to Old Friends. He you know was static because it was a big name horse I was beyond ecstatic because it was like meeting Elvis for me. And he was such a gentleman and you know how protective I am of my kids I am a photo in my office. I'm looking at it right now of Grace that. I guess what would be about four or five years old Sitting on a post and Game On Dude with his head in her lap. That is not something I would let any horse do and especially a retired race horse. And that is how gentle he was what a gentleman he was so and he still is to this day. He's like the family dog.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But going back.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: You know, I remember when he would run like he you know He ran at Hollywood Park in the Hollywood Gold Cup and he ran that Santa Anita and it was just. You know, it was amazing to watch him and Mike was.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Just like you know him and Mike were like just graceful You know, they glided across the track.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And you know the comment Mike made I asked him I said, you know, was it like it looked and he said absolutely He said it was like effortless and the horse actually. Seemed to stretch out and get two feet longer every stride he took It was just kind of almost magical watch.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But you know you had the You know, fortune when you were a kid growing up.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: You got to go to Hollywood Park. What were some of the big things you remember from going there?

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: I can remember Hollywood Park was like walking into Oz I absolutely it absolutely was it had a splendor it had a vibe the. There was definitely a lot of people in the afternoon and it was like Hollywood It was like Hollywood country club or something in the afternoon. It was amazing. How many old celebrities? You'd see Dick Van Patten and Desi Arnaz. I mean, just guys hanging around. Oh, I had mark. I had a rick That was unfortunately lost in a move. And to this day I believe somebody opened the box by accident saw what it was and kept it I honestly believe that and remember I this would have been a move that got made when I was about 13 years old. Unconvinced I had autographs On the backs of older seats. I had Just in Programs. Yeah on programs on brf. I had autographs from like limited new morning is the one that sticks out in my mind Right off the top I had autographs from. Jack Lemmon I had autographs from the regular God Walter Matthau I was a regular out there. But then you'd get like I had this plan if you didn't grow up in L.A. you won't You won't oh, maybe you will you know, just put it to your own team. when I was a kid there were the infield for the Dodgers All right, Ron Cey Davey Lopes Bill Russell Steve Yeager These guys didn't have homes or lives or lives. This is all they did if you. And they were there for my entire youth that infield never changed I had Steve Yeager's autograph and Down the road somewhere. And there was a guy I didn't recognize what there were people waiting to get autographs I didn't recognize him by face. So I got in line to see. Give an autograph too. I got it on the back of a racing form Okay, and I looked down. Okay, and it's Bill Russell. And then they can absolutely fool out of myself And my dad makes the mistake Okay, this is a parental mistake of saying what he've only got three to go. And that haunted me literally haunted me that I could if the fates were right I could get the entire infield into my collection. But it was always a vibe Hollywood Park was always It was like It was like us. It was like you had walked out of a smoke filled room. The light came on. You could breathe clearly. It was it was just a wonderful place to be I Always I always enjoyed the grandeur and the tempo and. At the age I was at it was it was like it was literally like. This was we always said that sir a total was a summer camp for adults. This was an arcade For his heart Hollywood Park was The best room at the country club for la. And I know a lot of people won't understand this if you're this is a count. This is an L.A. thing if you if you've never lived there or worked there for any significant amount of time.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: People want to understand that you know, and I love New York. This isn't the east versus west.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: I absolutely love New York. I love Brooklyn Howard Beach You know, the all the five boroughs It's and it's in there is there's a common thread there. So like if you go to Queens or h Howard Beach, you know, Brooklyn There is kind of like I tell people all the time it feels like a bunch of small towns pushed together. Now you go to la L.A. to me is like the big little town. So if you work and live there Even though it's huge. It's spread out when you say L.A. for anybody who's around there that literally includes. From the valley and you know Sherman Oaks down. I would say almost to Dana Point at least to you know Laguna Anybody that refers to L.A. that's what they're referring to. So and you can you can attest to this and every industry is kind of like this Hollywood is like this our industry was like this. The phone would start ringing in the morning and By you know four or five o'clock Everybody would gather somewhere and it wasn't odd to walk into you know a marie calendars or some other restaurant and have. 40 or 50 people there that literally this thing got thrown together in a moment's notice Hollywood Park was like that every afternoon of race. Every afternoon at race you would see movie executives sports, you know heroes and known people. You know, movie stars, you know Executives from just business in general and everybody was just walking around and it was very much. You know, I couldn't remember, you know, you'd see like Dick Van Pattenton stand in there. And you know these people that you had just and there was also kind of this. You know, it wasn't that you couldn't go up and get an autograph or something like that. But this is prior to you know camera phones, you know and things like that. There wasn't the paparazzi feel of everybody videoing everybody taking selfies. Not there's anything wrong with that. I mean, people, you know they collect in church What they like for the people that they follow but it was a different era. And Hollywood Park kind of captured that and you know what's weird? I hated to see it go away. But in a strange way It almost ended at the right time for what it was I don't know how it would have evolved to today. I can't I You know, The old expression is that you know, good things never last. That's one of the ways they stay good things. When you've got something like chariotogana that is a remote be It has a track record history that goes back a tremendous distance and. It's It actually as an entity fights its own evolution a Church that holds that whole you know, there's no idea. We have that California with Del Mar. Absolutely Del Mar I've always said is the California version of Saratoga It's just a little bit different a little bit more resort-like. But it still has that same nostalgia. I mean, you know gosh you walk in there and here's picture of Bing Crosby taking tickets on opening day. I mean, how much more nostalgic do you get to that another place that celebrities frequented because it was the summer place for Arcadia and people that aren't familiar with L.A. And you know, especially up by Hollywood and verbank. It gets a little warm especially up in the valley during the summer or late fall this time of year. So Del Mar was they actually referred to it the tagline and Del Mar was you know, keep it cool It was really referred to as the fact one of the things that they were attracted to. Was it was 15 to 20 degrees cooler where Del Mar is north of san diego. Then any given time up by Arcadia Burbank or Hollywood where Santa Anita is. That was something that was you know, I've always looked at it like you have Saratoga in the east you have Del Mar in the west. But I do agree and how would park was unique? I mean, Hollywood if there was if there was a similarity to it in d. York It would have been Belmont. I would think I would agree the old guy. You know, I mean, the old Belmont's for sure gathering place You would see anybody from the mayor of New York City to John Gottidie to you know known movie stars and celebrities. It's just you know people that were everyday people that went there And it'll be interesting as we get ready for the new Belmont to open this year. With you know all like a sports complex What that's going to be what that vibe is going to be like it'll be interesting to see what that feels like. Oh, yeah for sure, you know speaking back on Game On Dude If I had stories to tell about Game On Dude, um I would tell you that's the first one especially where my kids concerned that I had the I had the pleasure of meeting both of them. Game On Dude uh at uh Old Friends Farm And his uh paddock mate was my favorite horse of all time cat launch. Yeah, most people would have would have never heard of before but he is a Thoroughbred legend in the state of ohio, um, you know. Those highest earning horses in the state of ohio He rushed he literally had over 150 starts He was a million-dollar earner. He ran in the money when he was 15 years old. michael called him the Lou Gehrig of Old Friends Farm And those two somehow almost metaphorically like God willed it Were the perfect pair. I mean, they kind of it was kind of freaky how much they. Modeled after you and me That those two would wind up together in the same paddock and those circumstances and they did great together. Okay, and you and I wind up You know, being there and helping out with Old Friends Farm and I got to meet them both. There was something if we did it in a movie everybody would roll their eyes and go. Oh my god. What an obvious symbolism this cliche is killing me But it did actually work out that way.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: My other people for people joining us Buck and I have worked together for that's going on what 15 years. And truthfully if you scripted Which is ironic because we are working on a project right now, but if you scripted Our careers and what we've done and took it to a studio. They would probably dial it back because it's not believable.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Absolutely positively true if anybody saw [movie title unclear in source], anything in that movie was underplayed Compared to the job we were in when we met and that would have been about. 2007 I'm telling you If you had seen it the only reason anyone kept doing it at least I'll speak only for myself The only reason I kept doing it was literally to see what happened next. There was almost became it almost became a You know, I'm not going to let this thing beat me It was like absolutely easy thing would have been to leave and being the masochist that we are and self-deprecating. We're like no, no, we are not going to bow to this. We are going to survive Even if it's at our own expense. Yeah, I still to this day my other Game On Dude story that I have one that I tell and I told many people. Down here and it's one of the reasons they're so Interested to meet mark someday there's a story about meeting one of Game On Dudes owners. According to mark is the stories being told is this very nice man And they had a nice long talk and he was part of the ownership and you know. They're talking away and the guy says, will you like baseball? Oh, yes, I've got no problem with baseball. Well, I did this and I did that and you know, whatever and you know, I can get you into the game and we've got. Seats and you know thing and it's all this great stuff Okay, and then he comes back to recount the story Okay, and I thought that's fantastic. Did you get the guy's name? He says, yeah pulls out a piece of paper and looks at it and says uh, Joe Torre. I said, okay Both circle on that I'll share that one because that was a that was a funny one.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Michael Blowen and I again this kind of on the coat tail of the Game On Dudes. So if I it was it was actually after Game On Dude to come to Old Friends Bob and Jill Baffert were gracious enough with American Pharoah that they included Michael Blowen and I to kind of tag along. So we're at Belmont in New York. This is the third leg of the Triple Crown He was going to be one of the you know first horses to get the Triple Crowns since I believe. Not seattle slew. What was the next one? There was whatever it was like 1978 um, but anyhow This was a big deal and everybody all eyes were on this inside and outside of horse racing. I mean, it's today shows there. I mean, it was a very big publicity 2015 We're standing in the paddock and I noticed that everyone is coming up to me not to me to the guy next to me. And they're like oh Joe, you know, we just wanted to say hey, and you know, you love everything you've done. And I'm sitting there thinking.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: I don't recognize this guy, you know, I don't he doesn't look like a movie star He didn't look like an athlete truthfully because he was a little bit older and kind of smaller.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: You know, I'm just keep in not even blink, you know, not even a little tinge Michael Blowen Standing next to me annoying me about like you do not quite as well, but pretty good. Michael Blowen kind of leans over to me realizing I'm confused and says That's Joe Torre. And I look at him and I kind of give him that blank look like okay. What does that mean? And he goes New York, and he's in L.A. dodgers. He was manager of both. And I'm like still looking at him kind of like why is that important to me. And he goes and he kind of rolls his eyes and he goes Knowing that this would get my attention. He said He was one of the owners of Game On Dude and I immediately was like oh my god. I turned to him didn't say hello didn't say. Anything I think back about it today and I'm lucky I didn't get carried out by the arms by security I immediately turned to Joe Torre and I go oh my god. You own Game On Dude and he gets this look on his face like do we have security in here. And I'm like no, I said um We have your horse it of fun.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But I'm on the board of in george sound Kentucky and he immediately lights up his eyes get big and he's like oh my god.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: He goes I was wondering where he had gone He goes that was one of my favorite horses. So we proceed to talk for a few minutes. He gives and I said you got to come and see him He gives me his business card. I give him mine Shake hands. He says, you know, we'll be in touch. He walks away. Michael You know, trying to bring it back to reality goes look You know, these don't get too excited some people. You know, get busy whatnot. He goes he might not you know.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Just don't let it by the if he doesn't call michael knowing me.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And I'm like now I think he's gonna call two weeks to the day My phone rings I'm driving down the road Probably one of my trips back and forth to see Keith and Grace from Kentucky. And He says, 'Mark?' and I say, 'Yeah.', he says Joe Torre He said uh, we're gonna be in Kentucky. We're actually gonna be in Cincinnati. His wife's family lives somewhere in your Cincinnati And he said I'm gonna be in Cincinnati for the all-star game I wonder if we could come to see Game On Dude. I'm like absolutely. And he said could I bring some friends? I said sure I go to The Louisville Slugger museum. No, this is not this is not any connection. This is something anybody could do I go to the gift shop and I get a Louisville Slugger bat. And I put on it Game On Dude and then I put his starts wins and overall earns. And then we got a bunch of baseball caps made this said Game On Dude and have they're so calm the back He had partners. So it wasn't just Joe. And um brought those He gets to have saturday morning brought a few friends like three friends with him I believe. And I said hey I've got something for you. He said I got something for you too. He gives me like two buckets full of signed baseballs. And he says so sell these and get some hay for the horses So give those michael and I said I got something for you and I gave him the bat and the hat. He was like speechless. He said this is the coolest thing. He said this is going in my office He was so excited. He made the guys who wouldn't take their hats off and put these on. And then he gave me an all-star bat And a dodger's bat and Yankees bat for Keith and Grace. So that you know he was just a terrific guy spent probably four hours there Going around the horses and here's the funniest part. So we get done and he says hey. What are you doing Tuesday night and I'm like Tuesday? I said Grace has a little league game in Michigan. I'm gonna be in Michigan. And he said well, I've got a suite at the all-star game. You're welcome to come bring anybody want. I said no I'm going Michigan. I always go to jim as these two my kids. And he leaves michael looks at me and he goes That's why you and Joe will be fine because he says you're the you just turned down Joe Torre to go to a baseball game. And I mean, think about it. He literally looked at me and he goes what Joe says when I said that he says I don't blame you. And sure can't do the last but now what a amazing guy we got pictures of him with game I do pictures of him sign baseballs. He was just an amazing guy, but it was funny because. While we're walking around we walk around the farm. We spent several hours Joe and I kind of walk in I said to him. I said I'm gonna be honest. Wait. I didn't know who you were. He said I could tell. And I said um so I googled you and I said I gotta be honest. I said um What got you interested in horse racing? I'm curious. And he said you know what was he said so when I was on the farm team in Louisville He said I um, you know, you didn't make a lot of money. So he said, you know You go to Churchill Downs and you could play the horses and get a couple of hot dogs and something to drink. And you know it wasn't an expensive afternoon. You had a chance to turn in two dollars into 10. And he said so then when I did start making money.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: He says my manager was also interested in horses and he said we got into horse racing and one of the first horses they bought.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Was queen aunt's lace that went on to in I believe over 16 million dollars. I mean, she was an amazing horse and then he owned several horses, but Game On Dude was another one 6.4 million. So they did very well And it was it was fun to listen to him. And really interesting how he got into it. I think that's the thing That I love about horse racing and I love a lot of sports. I love Formula One. I love. You know, different times of automotive racing. I like all kinds of sports. I mean, I enjoy Margie and I went to the lion's football game on Thanksgiving day last year. It was one of the best. Sporting events I've ever been to now probably a lot of that was because I was with her.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But I will say it was just you know, I enjoy all different kinds of sports.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Not any one is higher than another.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But and as you know, I'm I'm not an expert at anything but I do we'll say.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Horse racing to me is very interesting because it feels like such a melting pot of people. You know, it draws people from every walk of life every type of background. You know, everybody from you know, Joe Torre and you know, Desi Arnaz And Bing Crosby down to guys like you and I have met that were part of the. Some of those syndicates in New York that were a group of guys that work together that came to Saratoga.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: And I think that's really the secret sauce to this sport that I hope.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Is always there.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Oh for sure now as an epilogue the perfect epilogue.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Because now all of your listeners know who Anthony's to build junior is.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Then your listeners will tell you big. Yeah, tell your listeners big ace reaction when you told him you turned down the all-star game tickets from Joe Torre. Yeah, I think he was a little offended. That was offended. He was almost as offended as he was when They brought the miniature sized chicken parm to him at you know, Anthony's runway before when we first met. Okay, one of the great regrets of my life is I was not sitting at the table when you made that switch.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: He told that story. He told that story to me Okay, that was right out of the central casting. I mean, they brought a total platter with it hanging off the edges for me. And they brought him something that would be too small for wing cuisine Okay, he tells that story.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: I absolutely you can see it. You most heart fell absolutely emotional At no, no forget how he had the initial reaction It's the part where he tells the story about you looking at that masterpiece and going oh my god. I could never eat that and not even asking the question picking up his plate Putting yours in front of him and putting it down. He said there had never been a christmas present. There had never been a birthday present nothing ever hitting his heart and his square as it did. Oh, I mean, so he would have kissed me Yeah, cheers come almost coming out of his eyes He looks at me with the most serious space you can imagine it says I wouldn't have been meant for my own kid. You understand for my own for my own blood but blood on my blood. I would not have done something like that It actually was even that much. It just made a better that was when we get through dinner and dinner was an event.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: I mean, I remember when we sat down.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: This is a set the tone for our listeners. We're Anthony's Runway 84 and four water Huge table probably cable of eight people. You know, people from the network, you know big a and I and I was with a company that was sponsoring the show that he was on.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So I'm the sponsor This is the first time him and I have met and he knows that I'm a big sponsor.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: So he's on his best behavior. So they bring this turkey platter Of a chicken parm for me and they bring him of turk chicken parm. We were the same thing. You could hide his under a coffee sauce here. I'm not exaggerating mine is hanging off the platter He cannot you can see his face turning red, but he can't say anything. There's the business dinner. So he is like just boiling and then I make the switch What's funny is this is probably like the fourth course already.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: So we sit down and I'm like, so what do you order? He said let me explain something You get penne a meatball. And there was something else and I completely I think the bread or something no in marinara. And he said if they could do those three things it's a good place.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: So he orders all these appetizers. We've got bread coming. We've got bowls of marinara There's a bucket of cheese sitting there that we're putting on everything. I mean, salads come and you know. Platters of antipastas, you know, it's just in the food is amazing Keeps coming keeps coming by the time dinner gets there I'm literally having flashbacks to john pep bit where he's like, you know, you're not scaring me keep it coming because it was literally like just one course after another. So we're not done yet. We get past the turkey platters of chicken palm. And then they go to carrot cake for the roundup carrot cake at one ways a before I'm not exaggerating. It is probably a four or five layer carrot cake. And I think eat they get four pieces of cake out of a cake They are massive pieces. So Anthony had both ordered one and. They set him down And he picked up his fork and I grabbed his arm and I'm like hold on. And he looks at me really puzzled and I pointed both of them and I'm like, you know, which one do you want? And he just busts out laughing he goes. We're good. We're good Continue And so to this day I swear that's the bond that bonded us to this day. He told that story every time we're together. Yeah, he that In playing everything having to do with that guy. He is an amazing guy his backstory is amazing his Is just the gift he's got for it and the stories that he's tell if I was to tell you what uh between. He and I had gone into New York.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: And it was for his um, Kentucky Derby special that he did.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Yeah, he came on burtos And we were set tina burtos in elmont, New York. And he has the big setup. He sells seats It's catered by the restaurant in their banquet room. He gets jockeys and owners and trainers up in the front. They handicapped the Kentucky Derby and maybe two races in front and it was just an absolutely magic event I go in early to get him set up and to do that show and he's like hey my mother's making dinner.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Interesting situation. Okay. I've never done this on a business trip before but it sounds good to me.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: So we go to his mother's house and just This Is exactly What you would have expected if you would have gone. Oh, these are real Italian hard. I'm trying to I'm hang on a second. I'm gonna find a spot in a movie if you remember the movie good fellows. De Niro, Pesci And leota turn up at Pesci's mother's house to get a shovel to bury the body. And she oh no, I'm going to make you something to eat and she starts making them Something to eat late at night. If you can see that scene in your mind. This is the scene going on. In Stabile's place. She made us a very nice dinner. Okay, so when I get done, I say hey give me the address for this place. When I got back to the room, I got ahold of And forgive me. I can't remember the name, but they deliver cookies It's a cookie gift delivery place. I used it a few times along the way and they make really nice cookies. She's chocolate chip cookies. So I center two dozen cookies and I had them included notes that said wonderful dinner. Thank you very much Right. I get a call from Stabile. Actually alive and he says are you kidding with the cookies? My mother wasn't tears my mother. So if I had another minute with so I was the deal It would have been that time up in Saratoga Where he um. He dropped He and the people from HR are in had rented a Airbnb and they were all staying in the same place and I had gone there because he was going to make risotto and I had to taste the risotto. As he's working on the risotto I don't know if it was planned this way if it was guile. I don't think it was but I was sitting. On a couch he came walking in Great from the Backroom with a laundry basket. And he dumps this laundry basket onto the couch next to where I'm sitting He says He says hey, I'm going to get the risotto started no problem. I said, okay and he's in there working and I'm looking and I'm an only child and there's a basket full of hot laundry. It's just sitting there and it's driving me insane. So I got up and folded it Just I it's one of those things if you're one of those people that has a problem in a crooked picture on the wall I'm that guy too. So you'll understand. Yes. Yes. You have to have the scene set It's like everything has to be just so or and that's what you were always a detailed guy. And I was the idea guy which I know I drove you insane But you were also the one that was like, you know, if there's a picture of fate done away over on the other wall that's crooked. It's gonna like eating your head until you go over and straighten it out Absolutely and I don't I don't care if it's in a restaurant. Okay, I have literally leaned over tables and to ask somebody eating their meal Could you excuse me a second and straighten the picture and said I got to my defense when I said this picture is terribly crooked. Oh, and the lady which said oh my goodness. I didn't notice. Oh, but thank you. Thank you and go away. So I pulled the laundry. comes back and he goes you folded the laundry and I said you were working on the risotto Okay. And all he always ever says it's the same thing you're the best You're the best. I don't know what that you're the best. Yeah, because I guarantee that laundry would have never got folded It would have got scooped up and probably thrown in and chair in his room and he would have. Colford threw it to find what he wanted to wear You do a kind of imagine I love the guy to death, but I can see that laundry if this was I can't remember what day of the event. It was but I can see him opening the suitcase pouring the basket into the suitcase and sipping it closed. You absolutely can. No, he's a he's an amazing guy. I love him to death. I mean, he's like a brother and he's just. You know, he's a true here's why I love genuine people as you know I don't care what they do where they come from what they have what they don't have what I like is genuine people. One of the things that really struck me and it's kind of like a breath of fresh air with big a. And then really that whole area is Just you know, there is no Group of people in my mind. I might be a little prejudiced because I am Italian. But there's no group of people are more genuine than Italians, especially New York Howard Beach to me and Queens is like the you know ground zero for. You know, that you know, it's interesting because I'm talking to um Angel Gotti John Gotti's daughter.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: She's going to be a guest on the show. Hopefully in the coming weeks. We're trying to work out schedule and you know full circle. When big a was younger He grew up well, not even young. I mean, he grew up in the same neighborhood and still isn't the same neighborhood where john was. You know, he could walk to that social club and as you would expect, I mean, there. You know, there and I don't have you know, I always looked up to him. I mean, anybody who's telling you hooked up to John Gotti. He was just like a legend and you know in that area He was like royalty and in rightfully so he did so much for that area.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: It was just amazing. I mean, he would close the streets and have festivals, but that was a place. And it still is today and I hope it always remains that even like as you go into like Bensonhurst and Borough Park Some of these other places, you know, they still have that small town. Feel in a big city. You know, walk down the street and you know, here's you know King Umberto's and here's a bakery. And here's the italian deli and here's a little grocery store candy store and I love that about that area and the people are is. Genuine as the stores are I mean, I just absolutely Every time I'm there. I feel like you know, that's kind of like you know how you talk about. Places that we go that you just kind of feel like you could stay there. That's one of the places that's like that for me. I mean, I'm definitely a palm trees and sand guy. So I mean, Miami is Always, you know the place that I gravitate towards any chance I get but the um.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: There are a lot of places Lexington, you know, New York l.a You know, there's a lot of those places that just you know hold a special place and you know Howard Beach. Queen all that is just one of those places but We are up against the clock here. So we're gonna have to kind of wrap it up.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But I can't take you enough for joining this book.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Let me ask you this of all the places you've been because we've kind of gotten away from this on the show and I want to start bringing it back. Of all the places you've been what is your top favorite top of the line? You know, I don't care if it's a big small expense or a cheap. What's the restaurant you love the most? Oh And what you're going to go there. I don't care if it's a whole the wall it sells tacos down there The place that sticks in my mind. The place that's stick in my mind. Meals and places are always about people And everything ties to everything pretty much ties together I would say. There's a couple places. I mean, I had a I was married in a restaurant same almost and in the anapolis and that was a wonderful thing that I can't get.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: If I was to tell you to it's got to be it's got to be The Palm down in Miami. We've The Palm Miami. Special places King Umberto's another one.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Of the New York Yeah I mean, there are so many but I agree with you. I mean, The Palm to me feels like. Everybody has that place. You know, what reminds me of there reminds me of the brown derby back in the day when the brown derby was the brown. It's kind of that place where you walk in and you just feel like it's almost a private club It's not I mean, it's open to anybody. It's very welcoming.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: But there's a there's a there's a Really great people in the sense that it doesn't matter if you're there once a week or twice a year.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: They remember who you are And there aren't many places that put the effort into it like they do. That's it's an that is a comfortable place that is.

Speaker 4 - Buck Wilson: Got a suitable style to it's not too much. It's not too little the food never disappoint ever. No, in fact, it's it shines at every level uh the house bourbon Is if somebody actually had a house bourbon just having a house bourbon is enough that the fact that there's this excellent. it's got a problem listening. We're talking about The Palm Miami and the house bourbon is referring to is Garrison Brothers out of Texas. So Garrison Brothers makes a blend specifically for The Palm And I believe you can buy it I'm almost positive you can but if you're at any of The Palms, it's definitely worth asking for because it is a good blend. you know me. I mean, since you I don't I don't really even drink anymore, but when I do on the occasion I still gravitate towards Buffalo Trace or Woodford. but no that one is definitely a good one And you know they're great. It's just phenomenal place. You know, the other one that's a really a must go for me Is amped in his Runway 84 the one that we were talking about with big a. That place now it's been redone. So it lost. I don't want to say it lost, but it's newer. It's different now Fan venting zos gone, you know for anybody who knew that place for I couldn't even tell you how many years they had the same. You know, doorman and in the name was mentioned though, and he was just it was another guy right out of central casting Or black and white wingtips had you know his goatee was dyed. They had gray goatee with black. Mustache and sides to it and it fitted you know, I mean, he didn't he was very Perfect for the wall and he was the kind of guy again. You could go there three times a year and he would remember your name It was just a remarkable guy and unfortunately lost him a few years ago one of my most cherished photos is. A pitcher of Keith and Grace and ventenzo and I There the anthesh Runway 84 one night heaven dinner. And you know he was one of one but there Their sauce I would put up against anybody's I mean, Runway 84 sauce is as good as anybody in the business. The other one we'd be Failing people who didn't mention his Cafe Martorano in Fort Lauderdale. Steve Martorano does a phenomenal job He actually has just launched this year. A line of jar sauces the difference with his is It's made just like he made sauce in His mom's basement. I don't care if you call it saucer gravy sunday saucer gravies, but my family it was sunday sauce. The um his sauces are All Vegetable you can add meat to make it a bowl and as you can do it To it, but there's no sugar. There's no preservatives. There's nothing in it's a true sauce. Mortarontos cafe take a look you can order it online or if you're in. If you're fortunate enough to be in one of the areas whether the Publix or Joseph's he has them on the shelf there. But well Buck. I can't thank you enough for joining us today.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: We're brought to you. What a problem. They can see food. That's another place. We always love We need to get back there one of these days. Blue Nile calm color nutrition And we always promote OldFriendsEquine.org and No Fallen Heroes. So I hope you have a great day at the beach Life continues to shine on both of us.

Speaker 1 - Mark Otto: Folks, we can't thank you enough for joining us today Reach out Take a look at our website. We have some other sponsors on there that we support and you can stream any of our old shows there. Keep following along because we're going to be on a Roku Amazon Prime and Apple TV going into 2027. This has been Hollywood north power and we'll see you guys again next week.

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