SMOOTH AIR (Smooth Jazz) and Z FORTUNE (Siphon [Brz]) were both no factor in
the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing 11th and 10th, respectively, but the
three-year-old colts will have the opportunity to pick up a consolation prize
when they return to the races in Saturday’s $300,000 Ohio Derby (G2). Eight
horses will contest the 1 1/8-mile event at Thistledown.
Smooth Air captured the Hutcheson S. (G2) in his 2008 debut and finished
third in the Sam F. Davis S. next out. The Bennie Stutts Jr. runner entered the
Kentucky Derby off a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby (G1), trailing only
Big Brown (Boundary) under the wire, but he broke in the air and never got
untracked at Churchill Downs. The Florida-bred bay will keep regular rider
Manoel Cruz in the irons.
Z Fortune won both of his juvenile starts over New York-bred rivals and
opened his sophomore campaign with a 2 3/4-length score in the Lecomte S. (G3)
at Fair Grounds. He finished second in the Risen Star S. (G3) next out but then
disappointed as the 3-5 favorite in the Rebel S. (G3). The Steve Asmussen charge
bounced back in the Arkansas Derby (G2), finishing a good second, but he didn’t
fire in the stretch of the Kentucky Derby after sitting a good trip in midpack
during the early stages. He’s an obvious threat to do better on Saturday with
Garrett Gomez up.
Lane’s End S. (G2) third-placer MEDJOOL (Monarchos), who has been switched to
conditioner Michael Matz, is another contender, and INSTILL (Proud Citizen) will
enter the Ohio Derby off a victory in the Milwaukee Avenue H. at Hawthorne.
The complete field, from the rail out, is Smooth Air; Medjool, Jose Caraballo;
YOUR ROUND (Distorted Humor), Miguel Mena; Instill, Danush Sukie; STOLEN CHEVY
(Flying Chevron), Rex Stokes III; CELTIC MEAL (Formal Dinner), Andrew Ramgeet; Z
Fortune; and CHEROKEE ARTIST (Cherokee Run), Jeremy Rose.
Smooth Air, Instill and Z Fortune will tote 117 pounds; the rest carry 115.