Big Changes for Smokie

[geowarrior]

Citi Smoke is entered to run in a 1 mile turf MSW at Hawthorne on Thursday wearing blinkers.

This is a brave decision. They are fairly sure the blinkers are necessary as he was distracted during his last race. I always thought he would like a longer distance (check out his mare conduit profiles), but the most brave thing is running him on the turf. I read somewhere that Smoke Glacken's offspring have a miniscule success rate first time out on the turf. But maybe better for his two year old legs to try him at this longer distance on the turf. The only thing I'd wonder about would be how to evaluate the result. If he wins - was it the distance, the turf or the blinkers? Conversely if he loses, was it the distance, the turf or the blinkers?

Looks like Citi Smoke, Oriental Rose and Gear It Up are all going to be moving to Fair Grounds for the winter season, don't know when this move is going to be taking place now.