Smooth Air

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by ELA

So, Andy, before the draw -- who do you specifically like? Please be clear and definitive! Just kidding.

Eric

Yeah, because that's what I asked him.

[HaloWishingwell]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

"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.

Judging from his Lexington race that as close TOMCITO has been to anything outside of Peru.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by HaloWishingwell

Judging from his Lexington race that as close TOMCITO has been to anything outside of Peru.

And we all know how conclusive those polytrack races are. Besides, as much as everyone rails on him (and he was definitely a bad bet at 3/1), he was only beaten 3 3/4 lengths on Saturday.

[The Bid]

With the mediocrity in this crop and the consistancy of Smooth Air I think its very difficult to exclude him. Not only that I think his best races are yet to come. Hes not flashy, but he runs his race each time you lead him over and theres something to be said for that. In this particular field he figures to factor.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by The Bid

With the mediocrity in this crop and the consistancy of Smooth Air I think its very difficult to exclude him. Not only that I think his best races are yet to come. Hes not flashy, but he runs his race each time you lead him over and theres something to be said for that. In this particular field he figures to factor.

He was the only horse, other than BB, to pick his feet up in G1 Fla derby.

[estreetposse]

Quick question...How many here even considered Smooth Air as a contender before Steve's write up on the Home Page?

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by estreetposse

Quick question...How many here even considered Smooth Air as a contender before Steve's write up on the Home Page?

I haven't even seen that..... I just log onto the forum.

My friends here know I've been a fan of his for a while.

I don't base who I like on what anyone else says, writes, etc.

[sumitas]

I agree, you get consistency from Smooth Air and if he takes to the track he can get it done.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by estreetposse

Quick question...How many here even considered Smooth Air as a contender before Steve's write up on the Home Page?

I haven't read it. When Steve and Hooves first mentioned him as a contender on here I thought they were crazy. The more I cap the race though the better he keeps on looking against the rest of the field. A dream trip horse should be a bet against the next time out, and normally I'd want to play against him. But against the crappy horses he'll be running against and likely odds of 25 to 30-1 he is a lot more interesting than your normal dream trip horse on the runback. I think he could run 5 lengths off his Florida Derby and still have a shot at getting up for 3rd or 4th. That is how woeful this collection of horses are going into the Derby.

[Travis Stone]

I do think he's overbet though, as you can tell, a lot of people are picking up on a few of the positives on his PPs.

[tiggerv]

He's a nice horse who tries hard every time which you have to respect. The problem is that he isn't a classic distance horse and I don't think wants any part of 10F. Even with a dream trip I think it is unlikely he figures for a check.

[sumitas]

My 3 are SA, BBJ and CJ. They are visually the best time and again.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by tiggerv

He's a nice horse who tries hard every time which you have to respect. The problem is that he isn't a classic distance horse and I don't think wants any part of 10F. Even with a dream trip I think it is unlikely he figures for a check.

Who in the field is a classic distance horse that wants 10 furlongs?

[Gander]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Who in the field is a classic distance horse that wants 10 furlongs?

Court Vision, Pyro, Z Fortune.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Gander

Court Vision, Pyro, Z Fortune.

Pyro and Court Vision are ok although I'd hardly call them a classic distance horse. Z Fortune's sire has an AWD of 6.7 furlongs and his damsire has an AWD of 6.5 furlongs so I have a tough time calling that a classic distance pedigree.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Who in the field is a classic distance horse that wants 10 furlongs?

Adriano, Colonel John, Cool Coal Man, Court Vision, Cowboy Cal, Monba, Pyro

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

Adriano, Colonel John, Cool Coal Man, Court Vision, Cowboy Cal, Monba, Pyro

Colonel John, Adriano and Cowboy Cal should have no problem with 10 furlongs......it is the lack of turf or fake turf that will be the problem. A lot of these others being mentioned are bred nicely for 8 to 9 furlongs but hardly have classic distance pedigree. Smooth Air really doesn't lag far behind them.

[Gander]

Do you really think you have to be a "Classic 10F horse" to win this?
Isnt this race being a little overanalyzed? After all, horses get behind a gate, and the gates open, and the first horse who crosses the line wins.
Arent most Derbys won by the horse who has the lead at the 1/8th pole anyways? From recent memory, I can only think of Giacomo's win as one that this race was won past the 1/8th pole.

Street Sense, Barbaro, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide, Monarchos, War Emblem, Fu Peg, Real Quiet....

Do any of these ring a bell? DId any of these need the extra 1/8th of a mile to win or lose this?

[estreetposse]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Quick answer.....Who cares?

I'm just curious...there wasn't all that much hype about this horse until Steve put up his article(which I think was very well written)...now there is a 3 page thread about him and I was wondering if people are drawing ther own conclusions or hopping on a bandwagon.

Do you really feel the need to start with me?

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Gander

Do you really think you have to be a "Classic 10F horse" to win this? Isnt this race being a little overanalyzed? After all, horses get behind a gate, and the gates open, and the first horse who crosses the line wins.
Arent most Derbys won by the horse who has the lead at the 1/8th pole anyways? From recent memory, I can only think of Giacomo's win as one that this race was won past the 1/8th pole.

Street Sense, Barbaro, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide, Monarchos, War Emblem, Fu Peg, Real Quiet....

Do any of these ring a bell? DId any of these need the extra 1/8th of a mile to win or lose this?

No, I don't. Especially when there are none in the field to begin with. Which is why I think people dismissing Smooth Air on his pedigree is pointless.