Pair of Kentucky Derby also-rans hook up in Ohio Derby
Smooth Air and Z Fortune, 11th and 10th in the Kentucky Derby four weeks ago, will square off and vie for favoritism in Saturday’s $300k Grade 2 Ohio Derby from Thistledown.
Smooth Air was the gem of consistency before the Derby, but note that all three of his wins have come in sprints. Two of his three route defeats have come courtesy of Big Brown, and no such rival exists in this spot. A ground saving stalking trip is anticipated.
Z Fortune has been up and down since a trio of wins to kick off his career. Recently on an every other race pattern, he fired in the Risen Star (feb.) and Arkansas Derby (april), and was flat in the Rebel (march) before beating half the field in Big Brown’s Kentucky Derby (may) romp. I liked his wide Arkansas Derby effort from the 11-hole, and a repeat of that could land him in the winners’ circle today.
Cherokee Artist rates a bit of gander for Graham Motion. Lightly raced promising sort was necked in his extended sprint Polytrack bow, then graduated smartly after getting hung out wide around the first turn at Churchill on Derby Day. We might see some late developing three-year-olds do some damage this year, since there is not much depth in the current crop. He is worth a flyer at 12-1 on the line.
Your Round is eligible for an entry level spot but appears capable of landing a share. Stretch runner has fired on turf and Polytrack, and he was 3rd behind Blue Grass winner Monba and Preakness runner-up Macho Again in his lone conventional dirt try at Churchill. Key him underneath.
Instill is dangerous in the Hawthorne Park Illinois-bred ranks but has failed to do any serious damage versus open company.
Medjool showed some late running talent in Southern California on synthetic ground. Michael Matz is 0-18 with new additions to his barn, and I would like to give him one on conventional dirt. Definite underlay at 7-2 on the morning line.
Celtic Meal looms an early pace player at the most, along with Stolen Chevy.
Photo Credit: Newscom
Tags: Big Brown, Kentucky Derby, Ohio Derby, Smooth Air, Thistledown, Z FortuneRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Handicapping, Horses, Stakes Races
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