How about more pace than in any other of the preps we have seen. I cant think of a single prep that had fast fractions. If 2 or 3 horses go out hard in the Derby, and the stalkers move prematurely, and you have a pace meltdown, Smooth Air is one of about 3 horses who will likely benefit from this and pull a "Giacomo", if you will. Hes got a good chance. Just dont fall for too short of a price.

Court Vision has won a Graded Stakes at Churchill as well.
Neither horse has set the world on fire with their 3-year old form, but I would take G.Gomez and Court Vision before Anak Nakal on all of my derby tickets.

Well, they went 22.76 and 45.83 in the Florida Derby. That isn't exactly crawling.
He had a very favorable post and a great trip that day, but despite that (and despite the fact that he seemed to be running his guts out in the stretch), he didn't close an inch. The pace was fast enough that day that the horses who were second, third, fourth, and fifth at a 1/4 and a 1/2, ALL finished seventh or worse. It wasn't like they were cheap speed either. Fierce Wind and Elysium Fields were two of the favorites. Meanwhile, the horses coming from off the pace (Tomcito, Cool Gator, Majestic Warrior) ALL finished in the top half. Big Brown obviously ran a very nice race that day, but given the early pace, I have to think that if Smooth Air was really a top-notch two-turn horse, he would have made up SOME ground, or at least have done something in the stretch other than look completely spent.
His previous race in Tampa (the Sam Davis) showed me the same thing. Big Truck simply ran by him at the end.
To me he is a closer that just flattens out in the stretch when asked to go two-turns, and I don't think the increase in distance to 10f can do anything but hurt him.

i don't think any of these 3 y/o's are good enough to carry AA's gear.

i think this derby has "giacomo" written all over it. it's a matter of finding the horses in this group that can pick up the pieces. smooth air's fitness may allow him to do it.

I don't see how anyone can honestly toss horses on a whim in this race. This entire crop has been nothing but a bunch of horses taking turns beating each other. If someone feels like Smooth Air can get the trip at 40-1, I say have at it. There's nothing wrong with betting a horse who is 7-for-7 in the money in a group like this.

"Right behind him"? Smooth Air beat Tomcito by 7 1/2. If that's "right behind him", then Smooth Air photo'ed with Big Brown.

Derby lunacy has reached a new low with this thread.

Smooth Air? Thanks....I need the laughs.

I guess this means i should stop trying to find a Smooth Air hat for you? :p

I think I'm drinking from the Smooth Aid too. He keeps looking better and better to me.

Really? What are you looking at?
It must not be videos of his races.

I know he got a great trip in the Florida Derby but he did run fast (relative to this crop) there and I like a horse that puts up a bigger figure at a mile and an eighth on the stretchout to a mile and a quarter. I think the long works since his last race will have him fit for the mile and a quarter and in an atrocious collection of horses in this Derby, why not him? I don't really like his chances to win but do think he has as good a shot to hit the board as anyone not named Big Brown or Pyro and he is obviously going to spice up your tri a hell of a lot more than those two would.

i don't understand why he keeps getting lauded for his supposed fitness level. i'm assuming all the horses will be as fit as their trainers can get them, so on that playing field i'd think they'd be level.
i think there are too many others with more pluses in their column.

It's amazing what people can come up with to defend the indefensible.

Smooth Air is a complete non-contender.

Just out of curiosity, who are you leaning towards?

I tend to wait for races to be drawn and pps to come out. I'm funny that way.

not smoth air. its how people justify big brown being good . wow he beat smooth air. by the way tomcito ran real good the other day too. he had to win to get in and he was up the track. i see all the tomcito threads went by the wayside....lol...