Sat Jan 5 18:31:54 2008

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Smooth Air glides to victory in Hutcheson Stakes

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Hallandale Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Smooth Air, ridden by Manoel Cruz, ran down Silver Edition in the stretch to the capture Saturday's $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The seven-furlong race is the track's first stakes race of 2008 for three-year-olds.

The field of eight all broke well from the gate with Tiz It taking the lead early. Joining Tiz It on the lead was Silver Edition, Golden Spikes and Coal Play.

At the half-mile pole Tiz It still had the lead on the inside with Silver Edition to his outside in second. Golden Spikes was in third as Smooth Air began his move into fourth along the rail.

Coming out of the final turn Silver Edition and jockey Rene Douglas had the lead as Smooth Air moved off the rail to join the leader. The two colts battled down the stretch with Smooth Air pulling away late.

Smooth Air registered a one-length win over Silver Edition with Halo Najib finishing third. Rounding out the order of finish was Golden Spikes, Big Truck, Tiz It, Coal Play and Notgivinmyloveaway.

The time for the Hutcheson Stakes was 1:23.21 on a track listed as sloppy.

Smooth Air is owned by Mount Joy Stables and trained by Bennie Stutts. His first stakes win was worth $90,000 to bring the three-year-old's earnings to $165,500. The colt has won three of five starts, all with Cruz in the saddle.

"Ive been training for 40 years and this is the biggest race Ive ever won," Stutts said. "The plan was to take him off the pace today. I told Manny (Cruz) this morning to 'just let the speed go early' and it worked out well. He broke his maiden in the slop, so I wasnt worried about the track. I want to thank Brian Burns (Mt. Joy Stable) for giving me the opportunity. I've had a small division for him at Calder for seven or eight years. He has others with Dallas Stewart. There are a couple of options to consider next, including the Sunshine Millions Dash and the Sam Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs."

Smooth Air returned $20.60, $9.40 and $5.40. Silver Edition paid $12.20 and $6.20, and Halo Najib paid $2.80 to show.

The Hutcheson Stakes is the lead-off event for Gulfstream's Kentucky Derby preps. The Fountain of Youth comes up on February 24 and the Florida Derby is set for March 29. The Holy Bull Stakes on April 12 comes three weeks before the Run for the Roses.