- Coady Photography

SMOKE IT RIGHT REMAINS PERFECT WITH MOUNTAIN VALLEY SCORE

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, March 05, 2011) – The heavy 3-2 favorite, Smoke It Right, improved his undefeated record to four for four and earned a shot at bigger races down the road with his front running victory in Saturday’s $60,000 Mountain Valley Stakes at six furlong.

With the win, the 3-year-old now throws his hat into the ring for upcoming races such as the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) March 19 at 1 1/16 miles and the $1 million Arkansas Derby April 16 at 1 1/8 miles.

“With the Rebel in two weeks, it's highly possible,” said winning trainer Benard Chatters, who co-owns the colt with Dr. Rand Metoyer. “I'd really love a flat mile more than the Rebel. We want to try to get to races like the Arkansas Derby, but we have to do it incrementally. I’m pretty confident he can get that distance.”

Smoke It Right, breaking from the rail under jockey Gabriel Saez, was the first to the front and never lost that position, leading the field of five through fractions of :22 1/5 and :45 4/5 for the first half-mile. Keep On Giving made the strongest attempt at overtaking the winner, but could only get within a half-length before his rival sprinted off to win by 1 ¼ lengths. Winning time was 1:11 2/5 for six furlongs over a fast track.

Glint, who also entered the race undefeated, finished third. Fairing and Trubs completed the order of finish.

Smoke It Right, a Kentucky-bred son of 1997 Mountain Valley Stakes winner and champion Smoke Glacken, has now earned $79,200. He returned $5.00, $3.40 and $2.60.