Aqueduct: Smooth Jazz scores

JAMAICA, N.Y. - Smooth Jazz lived up to the expectations of his trainer and the betting public, rallying from just off the pace to win the $82,950 by 2 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct.

Tank's Expectation, trained by Dale Capuano, got up for second, one length ahead of stablemate President Butler.

Double My Prospect, War Native, White Ibis, Eye of the Comet, Final Table and Cool Cash completed the order of finish.

Though Smooth Jazz had just one race under his belt entering the Best Turn, his lack of experience was not evident.

Breaking from post 7 under Mario Pino, Smooth Jazz ($6) was bumped at the break and raced within two lengths of Double My Prospect and Final Table, who dueled through splits of 23.27 and 46.50 seconds. Smooth Jazz made a three-wide move around the turn, took the lead from Double My Prospect approaching the eighth pole, and drew clear. He covered six furlongs in 1:10.76.

"I thought a lot of this horse before he ever ran," said trainer Tony Dutrow, who notched his fourth stakes win of this meet. "I don't think he beat any stars today, but still he took a nice step forward in only his second race running against some decent, experienced horses.

"And, he did everything right; he switched his leads, he sat behind [horses], he was very comfortable, very relaxed, and he galloped out well. I was very happy with his professionalism today."

Dutrow will consider running Smooth Jazz back in the Gotham Stakes on March 17 even though he is definitely running his other undefeated 3-year-old, Saratoga Blues, in that race.