5/31 (TDN): Ohio Derby (Gr. II) Smooth Air-102 BSF

[stonegossard]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Pete,

Why would Harlem Rocker be in the King's Bishop? And J Be K? He has one race that stands out as anything impactful. You don't see where a horse like Smooth Air, who has proven most likely to be best at 7f, will be murder turning back to it in August after all this two-turning? I'm not suggesting he's a Hard Spun in talent level, but in amongst this 2008 group, taking that same path should yield similar results. A reminder: He has won the Hutcheson and Ohio Derby; 2nd in the Florida Derby. Off the board once in his career (KY Derby). What is the knock on him exactly? He is a truly handy horse.. a rarity these days actually.

If Harlem Rocker doesnt get the distance up in Canada one would think that they might turn back and go for those 3 yr old sprints up at Saratoga. J Be K IMHO is much faster than Smooth Air. SO I guess Smooth Air would be running for 3rd.

I am just not as impressed by others with Smooth Air. Todays race was pitiful as he faced a bunch of misfits. His other races are ok. I just dont see him stepping up to Grade I.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by stonegossard

If Harlem Rocker doesnt get the distance up in Canada one would think that they might turn back and go for those 3 yr old sprints up at Saratoga. J Be K IMHO is much faster than Smooth Air. SO I guess Smooth Air would be running for 3rd.

I am just not as impressed by others with Smooth Air. Todays race was pitiful as he faced a bunch of misfits. His other races are ok. I just dont see him stepping up to Grade I.

As far as 3yo sprinters pointing for the King's Bishop go, two up-and-comers would be Two Step Salsa and Black Wolf out west and Behindatthebar and Gayego cutting back. The latter two are probably toast as it stands so who cares. I'm sure John Shireffs lacks the imagination to consider it, but the Mizzen Mast (a powerful winner of the 7f Malibu a few years back) colt, Madeo, would add to an interesting group of horses. Salute The Sarge gets one more shot with a better pace scenario than his last if he ever reappears.

Still, if I had to put money down right now, I'd go with El Gato Malo once he's definitely exposed at races beyond a mile.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by stonegossard

If Harlem Rocker doesnt get the distance up in Canada one would think that they might turn back and go for those 3 yr old sprints up at Saratoga.

That's a fair concern, until they do it you just don't know...I believe Harlem Rocker will get a route due to his sire's pedigree, "Macho Uno" who won the Suburban, Ohio Derby, BC Juvenile just to name a few races, plus he is a half brother to Awesome Again. There's plenty of stamina influences in his pedigree. Though his dam Freedom Come was primarily a sprinter, and HR is her first foal there is not much information to conclude if she can produce stamina ladened horses. The second dam however, "Zee Lady" did produce a horse named Boozeboom who won the Affirmed Handicap and placed in the Swaps stakes.

Though it is premature to even mention HR to great horses, I see alot of simularites in this mating as to the one with Ghostzapper. Ghostzapper was out of Baby Zip(who also produced City Zip) and sired by Awesome Again. Stamina on top and speed on the bottom pedigree, there was a time it was thought GZ might be stretched to go beyond his miler's pedigree but we all know what he did in the BC Classic. Which makes HR an exciting horse to follow with the possible simularities.