Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
November 2, 2008
www.thistledown.com
OHIO DERBY WINNER SMOOTH AIR ON VACATION; WILL RETURN IN '09 SUNSHINE MILLIONS
Smooth Air, winner of Thistledown's 2008 Grade II $300,000 Ohio Derby this past summer, is going on vacation. But he'll be back in a month to begin gearing up for his 2009 campaign as a four-year-old.
"He'll get the month of November off and come back to me here on Dec. 1," said Benny Stutts, Jr., who trains Smooth Air. "Hopefully, that will give me enough time to have him ready for the Sunshine Millions."
Smooth Air, a winner of five of 12 starts and $737,200, will be pointed for the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic, which will be run at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park. With the exception of his four-length score at Thistledown in the May 31 Ohio Derby, Gulfstream Park is Smooth Air's favorite track. The HallIandale oval is where he won his first graded stakes, the Grade II Hutcheson. It's also where he ran a bang-up second to Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown in the Grade I Florida Derby. Smooth Air completed his 2008 season with a decent showing (seventh, beaten just 5 1/4 lengths) in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Oct. 25.
"He came out of the Breeders' Cup in excellent condition," Stutts told the Daily Racing Form. "He's sound and his feet are good. I was so proud of him. I thought he ran terrific to finish seventh going up against the best horses in the world in a full field of 12."
Stutts continues to speak fondly of his stay in northern Ohio for the Ohio Derby.
"We had a great week. People at Thistledown treated us like we were family," he said.
SILKS BISTRO OPEN FOR LUNCH - Silks Bistro will be open for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays beginning this Friday, November 7th. The menu includes a variety of options including appetizers, salads, sandwiches and more. Silks Bistro opens at 11:30 a.m.
THISTLEDOWN HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT – Thistledown will host a handicapping tournament on Saturday, November 22nd to qualify two winners to the Coast Casinos World Series of Handicapping Tournament in Las Vegas. Guests can register through Friday, November 21st or until all 200 spots are filled. The entry fee is $150 ($100 for live bankroll, $40 for prize money and $10 for a lunch buffet). Contestants are required to wager their entire $100 bankroll on any type of bets throughout the afternoon (12:15-5:30 p.m.) on selected contest tracks. The top two finishers with the highest bankroll at the end of the contest day receive berths into the 2009 Coast Casinos World Series of Handicapping Tournament in Las Vegas including airfare and hotel accommodations. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the top 20 finishers. For more details or to sign up, visit Thistledown’s website at www.thistledown.com or stop in the Guest Services Office.
Z-5 FORMATION -- One of the more unique wagers being offered in North America these days is the Z-5 at Churchill Downs and Calder Race Course. The $1 wager requires bettors to select the top five finishers in the third and last race at Churchill Downs and the sixth race at Calder. If nobody selects the top five finishers, the money carries over to the next leg of the Z-5, or to the next day.
LATE NIGHT AT THISTLEDOWN --- Evening wagering will be available at Thistledown four nights this week --- Tuesday through Thursday (Nov. 4-6) as well as Sunday evening, Nov. 9. Of course, Thistledown is open each and every afternoon for full-card simulcasting from North America's top tracks.
BUCKEYE TASK FORCE --- The Ohio Department of Agriculture has put together an 11-member group, the Equine Industry Advisory Task Force, to promote and strengthen the state's horse industry. Among its members is veteran Thistledown trainer, Gary King, and Willie Koester, chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission.
FEED BAG --- Thistledown trainers and jockeys are already on the move and into the winner's circle of other tracks since the North Randall oval closed on Oct. 25. Trainers Tim Hamm, Jevon Crumley and Jeff Radosevich saddled winners at Mountaineer Park this week. Hamm scored in starter allowance company with 2007 Best of Ohio Endurance winner Smarmy, who romped by 7 1/4 lengths in a 1 5/8-mile marathon event, timed in 2:48 3/5 in muddy going. Radosevich has been red-hot winning five races in as many nights at Mountaineer. At Beulah Park, the suburban Columbus track, Thistledown regulars jockey Victor Urieta and trainer Joe Faulkner combined to win a race Saturday. Faulkner also won a race at Mountaineer on Saturday night. Randy Faulkner, the son of Joe Faulkner, and runner-up to Radosevich in the Thistledown trainers' derby this season, saddled a winner at Beulah on Friday . . . Cody Hayes, a senior nose tackle and fullback at Mayfield High School, was voted The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Gridiron Hero for the 2008 season. Hayes is the son of Steve Hayes, who is agent for jockey Scott Spieth, Thistledown's champion jockey from 2005 until 2008. The senior Hayes, at one time, worked on Thistledown's starting gate crew.