Air Force Red could land in BC Turf Sprint
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Air Force Red, who has not won a stakes since New Year’s Eve in 2022, is under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at five furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 2.
Trainer Leonard Powell said over the weekend that he is eager to start the 6-year-old Air Force Red in a Breeders’ Cup race and said the Turf Sprint may be the more likely option than the Mile on turf.
“I don’t think he’ll get in the Mile,” Powell said. “The only chance may be the Turf Sprint. If the horse is doing well, we’ll see.”
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Holly Golightly, Air Force Red was second in the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on Sept. 28, losing by 1 1/2 lengths to First Peace.
“He came out of the race well,” Powell said. “I’m happy with him.”
Air Force Red won the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes on the hillside turf course on Dec. 31, 2022, the most prestigious victory of his career.
Air Force Red has won 6 of 21 starts. He won as recently as Aug. 29, in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar.
Powell also plans to start the five-time stakes winner Anisette in the BC Filly and Mare Turf. She was third by a half-length to Hang the Moon in the John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 7 in her last start. Hang the Moon returned to win the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita last Saturday.
First Peace is not expected to start in the BC Turf Sprint, but is a possibility for the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint in Hong Kong in December, trainer Mark Glatt said last week.
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