First, they are going.
Bennie Stutts told me in the paddock they would only go if he was 1-2-3. It is a lifetime dream fulfilled for this 70 year old. The job Stutts did preparing this colt was masterful. All the pedigree dopes can chew on this effort for a good long while as they are again shown up as a pack of frauds perpetuating nonsense.
Manny Cruz was thrilled and told me walking back that he saw at about the 3/8ths Big Brown wasn't going to come back to him, so he rode out strictly to hold 2nd. He was immediately worried about being taken off Smooth Air by a high profile rider, but Stutts asked him, "You'll come with us to Kentucky, won't you jock?"...
It was a very fun scene to be around.
As for owner Brian Burns, he couldn't be at the race. I guess no one listened to ATR Friday, because he was on the show with me again. His brother is in grave condition with cancer and Burns is spending all his time with him. This performance undoubtedly raised everyone's spirit.
Secondly, I don't know how or why anyone would go out of their way to try to diminish this game colt's effort from Saturday. He was the only horse other than the winnr that did any real running. He's not much to look at, but as Stutts said after the race to Cruz, "He's a professional racehorse.. You're a professional jock.. and I'm a professional trainer.."
Smooth Air is the '08 Derby 'feel good' story.. And Stutts, the ultimate old school trainer, may have one more trick up his sleeve yet..
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine
Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984.
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