Jockey Mike Smith pleads not guilty to DUI charges
September 1, 2011SAN DIEGO (AP) - Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges resulting from his July 20 arrest hours after winning the opening-day stakes race at Del Mar.
Smith entered his plea via his attorney Thursday at the courthouse business office in San Diego. Because the case is a misdemeanor, he wasn't required to be present. He is out of custody on $2,500 bail.
A readiness conference was set for Oct. 14.
Police arrested Smith shortly before 11:30 p.m. on July 20 in Del Mar. They said the 45-year-old jockey's 2011 Land Rover was weaving while passing through the area at very slow speed, prompting a patrol officer to pull Smith over on suspicion of DUI.
The jockey had left a restaurant a short time earlier.
Smith has won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont during his career.