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Smooth Air aims for Ohio Derby Hutcheson S. (G2) hero SMOOTH AIR (Smooth Jazz), 11th behind Big Brown (Boundary) in the Kentucky Derby (G1), has exited the Run for the Roses in good condition. Trainer Bennie Stutts Jr. is now targeting the $300,000 Ohio Derby (G2) at Thistledown on May 31. "He got back here by van on Tuesday," the veteran horseman said on Sunday morning from his Calder barn. "He never backed off his feed at all with the whole experience. Other than a little scrape on a hock, he came back fine. He got off badly and was checked twice in the race. "The chart says he broke 15th, but I think it was closer to 18th and he got knocked around pretty good. Then we had missed the two days of training the week before and I couldn't work him when I wanted to Sunday, and that didn't help either." Despite the rough trip, Stutts was still glad to be part of Derby 134. "It was a wonderful experience that I'll never forget," he said. "He's back galloping and I've already nominated him (for the Ohio Derby). If things go well, that's where he's going." Prior to the Kentucky Derby, Smooth Air had finished an honorable second to Big Brown in the Florida Derby (G1).
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