Airoforce back on best surface for American Turf

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Airoforce will return to what appears to be his favorite surface, grass, when taking on a full and very competitive field in Saturday’s $300,000 American Turf at Churchill Downs.

Airoforce wasted little time gaining national attention by winning his first two starts, including the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes, and finishing second, beaten a neck, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. All three of those races were on grass, although he then showed his versatility by capping his 2-year-old campaign with an impressive victory over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

Airoforce’s performance in the Kentucky Jockey Club prompted his connections to think Kentucky Derby trail this year. But after finishing well back in a couple of Derby preps, the Risen Star and Spiral stakes, trainer Mark Casse will shift Airoforce back to grass for the 1 1/16-mile American Turf.

“I expect he’s going to be better back on the turf, and he’ll need to be against this field,” said Casse. “I don’t think he could be in any happier place than where he’s at right now, and I’d be very disappointed if he doesn’t run really well on Saturday. Although he’s never raced over this course, he loves it here, he’s been training great over the main track, and I think the main track at Churchill Downs is a lot more like grass than most places.”

Airoforce will break from the rail in a field of 11 3-year-olds with Julien Leparoux back aboard.

Those siding against Airoforce can find any number of alternatives among a group of leading contenders that includes Grade 3 winners Shakhimat, Frank Conversation, Converge, and Dressed in Hermes, along with Grade 2 winner Azar and the stakes winner J R’s Holiday. Azar and Surgical Strike were second and third behind Kentucky Derby contender Oscar Nominated in the Spiral, and J R’s Holiday was second in the Transylvania Stakes.

Shakhimat has won 3 of 4 starts, his only setback a third-place finish in Woodbine’s prestigious Cup and Saucer at 2. He launched his 2016 campaign with a convincing 3 1/4-length victory in the Transylvania for trainer Roger Attfield.

Azar was beaten a neck by Oscar Nominated in the Spiral, with Surgical Strike a similar margin back in third. Azar contested all the pace that day, while Surgical Strike finished full of run down the center of the course.

Frank Conversation returns to grass for the first time since finishing third in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar in November. The American Turf will be his first start since a disappointing performance in the Grade 2 United Arab Emirates Derby.

American Turf, Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Airofoce, by Colonel John

Last 3 Beyers: 72-28-87

◗ Casse said he’s tossing out his horse’s effort in the Spiral. “He really didn’t have the best of trips at Turfway,” he said.

Shakimat, by Lonhro Aus

Last 3 Beyers: 91-91-70

◗ Would be dangerous if able to shake loose on the lead as he did in each of his three previous victories, although he could receive early pressure from recent allowance winner Beach Patrol.

Azar, by Scat Daddy

Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-82

◗ He’s the lone Grade 2 winner in this lineup, having captured the With Anticipation at 2, but must overcome a tough post while breaking on the extreme outside in the bulky field.