Aerovelocity wins Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Aerovelocity won his second major stakes in the last five months in Sunday’s $1,658,831 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at about six furlongs at Chukyo, Japan.

Aerovelocity, sent off at 11-2, finished a half-length in front of the 15-1 Hakusan Moon in the field of 18. Straight Girl, the 4-1 favorite, finished 13th.

Aerovelocity was ridden by Zachary Purton for trainer Paul O’Sullivan. A 7-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, Aerovelocity always was near the front. He was timed in 1:08.50 and won for the ninth time in his 17-race career. By Pins, Aerovelocity races for Daniel Yeung Ngai.

The gelding began his career in New Zealand, where he raced under the name Naisoso Warrior and was a maiden race winner. The name was changed when the gelding was sent to Hong Kong.

Aerovelocity, the only foreign runner in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, won the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in Hong Kong last December. He was second in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Feb. 15.

Straight Girl, third in the Hong Kong Sprint, was one of six females in Sunday’s field.