Air Force Red has options in Eddie D Stakes

A perfect spring campaign in turf sprints has put Air Force Red among the leading hopes for Saturday’s Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

The key to a first career stakes win for Air Force Red is a patient trip.

Air Force Red, a 4-year-old trained by Leonard Powell, led throughout two allowance races on the hillside turf course in April and May, and won a maiden race earlier this year from a stalking position. In the $200,000 Eddie D Stakes, Air Force Red could get a stalking trip behind expected early leaders Dubai Key and Goliad.

“It’s tougher competition, but his style of racing should fit well,” Powell said. “He’s got early speed and he can be tactical. He’s got a turn of foot.

“Goliad is faster than us early. We’re not going to the lead at any price. If Goliad is not on the lead, we’ll go there, but we won’t force the issue.”

Air Force Red was fourth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf on Sept. 3 in his stakes debut, leading in the stretch before fading.

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The pace scenario is one of several subplots in the Eddie D Stakes, a key California prep for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 5 at Keeneland.

Trainer Phil D’Amato has two top-level contenders in Coulthard and Gregorian Chant. Both are closers.

Coulthard was gelded in the spring and has since won an allowance race at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar in July and finished third after a wide trip in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf Sept. 4 at Del Mar.

“I thought one more jump and he finishes second last time,” D’Amato said. “Since we’ve gelded him, he’s come back and run two nice races.”

Gregorian Chant, a two-time stakes winner and the sharp winner of an allowance race on the hillside turf course in March, was a game second in the restricted Wickerr Stakes at a mile on turf July 24 at Del Mar in his last start.

Runners such as Lane Way and Whatmakessammyrun could start at Keeneland with successful races Saturday.

Lane Way closed well despite a troubled trip to finish second in the Green Flash Handicap in his debut in a turf-sprint stakes. The 5-year-old Lane Way was closest to the front at the finish, losing by 1 1/4 lengths to odds-on favorite Lieutenant Dan.

“I’m hoping for that effort back,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “It should be effective.”

The Eddie D Stakes is Lane Way’s first start on the hillside turf course. Mike Smith rides the 5-year-old, who is effective as a stalker.

“He’ll probably be sitting in the middle somewhere,” Mandella said.

Whatmakessammyrun was fifth in the Green Flash, beaten 2 3/4 lengths after racing in traffic on the turn.

“We’re looking forward to giving him some extra” distance, trainer Mark Glatt said. “I think the down-the-hill layout will suit his style. Hopefully, everything comes together for him.”

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