There was a baby step or two taken in America on Saturday in the long and winding road to the Kentucky Derby to be run at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The Derby, traditionally called the 'Run For The Roses', is a race for three year-olds over 2,000 metres.

Gulfstream Park in Florida hosted the Grade II Hutcheson Stakes that carried a $150,000 purse. It was a 1400-metre race on the dirt for sophomores. Smooth Air, a 9-1 proposition, came away victorious. In the hands of jockey Manuel Cruz, Smooth Air was held up, made his move three furlongs out to get into the mix in the final turn and had another gear left when stretching out to win by a length over Silver Edition. Halo Najib, the public choice, salvaged the show spot.

Smooth Jazz is Smooth Air's sire. The dam is Air France, a French Deputy mare. Eight ran and the winner's time was 1 23.21 seconds. Smooth Air has now won three races from five starts. The Hutcheson was Smooth Air's first Graded win. A $2.00 ticket returned $20.60.

Jockey Manuel Cruz was on cloud nine. "I am leaving for Brazil early Sunday. I am going for two weeks. I lost my dad six months ago and I want to help my mother set a vacation up. It's good to go with money."

Talking about Smooth Air, jockey Cruz said, "This horse has improved a lot. I have been telling the trainer this horse will get better with longer races. He showed that here."

Winning trainer Bennie Stutts Jr was thrilled: "I have been training for 40 years. This is the biggest race I have won."

Aqueduct in New York was the site where the other Derby prep was contested. Giant Moon won the $75,000 Count Fleet Stakes on the dirt. The distance was one mile 70 yards and Giant Moon clocked 1 41.14. The winning return was $7.50.

Giant Moon, a Giant's Causeway colt, was ridden by Ramon Dominguez and got the better of Spanky Fischbein late in the lane. Roman Emperor took third. Seven ran.

Jockey Dominguez talked about how tough the riding job was. "It was tough. He (Giant Moon) is unique. He is big but he does little. When you ask him, he'll give you one big stride and turn himself off."

Trainer Richard Schosberg was optimistic. "Giant Moon is getting better. He has to focus better and will go places."

Five inches of rain fell Friday evening and the Santa Anita Saturday card was cancelled. The cushion synthetic surface did not drain as much as it should have. Safety concerns made the decision easy to arrive at.

Fergal Lynch, recently cleared in the race-fixing trial, will head to the US. His brother Cathal Lynch trains 30 horses at Philadelphia Park. "My weight is good. Everything is going well. I am confident I will do well," Lynch stated.

At Randwick racecourse in Australia on Saturday, Takeover Traget, the even money favorite, won the Grade II Villiers Stakes (77,610 pounds) by a nose over Honor In War, a nine year-old. Hugh Bowman, Honor In War's rider, lodged an objection. Jockey Bowman argued that the winner had taken his path in the final 200 metres. The judges concurred and reversed the placings. The fans were not happy though the fact remained that Honor In War could have won if the interference had not occurred. Takeover Target was giving Honor In War 14 lbs and the race was over 1400 metres.

Nominations for the Eclipse Awards to be given away on January 21 in Los Angeles have been announced. Here are the major categories and the nominees:
Two year-old male---Kodiak Kowboy, Pyro and War Pass
Two year-old female---Country Star, Indian Blessing and Proud Spell
Three year-old male---Curlin, Hard Spun and Street Sense
Three year-old female---Octave, Panty Raid and Rags To Riches
Older male---Corinthian, Invasor and Lawyer Ron
Older female---Ginger Punch, Hysterical Lady and Nashoba's Key
Male Sprinter---Fabulous Strike Idiot Proof Midnight Lute
Female Sprinter---Dream Rush, Maryfield and River's Prayer
Male turf---After Market, English Channel and Kip Deville
Female turf---Lahudood, Nashoba's Key and Precious Kitten
Owner---Maggi Moss, Shadwell Stable and Stronach stable
Rider---Robby Albarado, Garrett Gomez and John Velasquez
Trainer---Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin and Steve Asmussen.