Keeneland Phoenix Stakes |
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| Group 1, Curragh 15:50 €250,000 added, 2yo only, 6f  |
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| Sunday 9th August 2015 | |
1 Air Force Blue 9/4
2 Washington DC 10/1
3 Buratino 11/10F
NR: Most Beautiful
7 ran Distances: 2l, ½l, 1½l
TIME 1m 11.88s (slow by 0.88s)
Curragh winner Air Force Blue new Guineas favourite
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Air Force Blue reversed Royal Ascot form to give Aidan O'Brien another win in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.
Having won seven of the previous 10 runnings of the six-furlong contest, O'Brien fielded three of the seven runners and Washington DC, a winner at Royal Ascot, chased home his stablemate to claim second with Buratino well beaten in third.
Two lengths behind Buratino in the Coventry, Air Force Blue was a 9-4 chance behind the 11-10 favourite but he showed a sparkling turn of foot to swoop around the outside of the field in the hands of Joseph O'Brien, back riding Group One winners for Coolmore in Ryan Moore's absence.
Buratino had no excuses under William Buick and could not hold off Windsor Castle winner Washington DC for second.
The winner was made the new 8-1 favourite for the Qipco 2000 Guineas by MansionBet , halving in price.
O'Brien said: "He came forward well from Ascot. He won his maiden here and didn't learn a lot, and was a baby going to Ascot.
"He settled, travelled and quickened up well today, and he was very professional.
"He put it to bed very quickly and he galloped out well. He has a few options now, including the Prix Morny."
He added: "It's good to see the form standing up. The second and third were both Ascot winners, and Washington DC has run a good race again. I'm very happy with him."
The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1)
6f , Race Value: €250,000
7 ran
Going: Good to Yielding
| Pos | Dr | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | (4) | Air Force Blue (USA) 9/4 | J P O'Brien 9-3 |
A P O'Brien | 2 | |
| 2nd | (5) | 2 | Washington Dc (IRE) 10/1 | J A Heffernan 9-3 |
A P O'Brien | 2 |
| 3rd | (2) | ½ | Buratino (IRE) 11/10f | W Buick 9-3 |
M Johnston | 2 |
| 4th | (7) | 1½ | Painted Cliffs (IRE) 11/2 | C O'Donoghue 9-3 |
A P O'Brien | 2 |
| 5th | (1) | ½ | Rockaway Valley (IRE) 9/1 | S Foley 9-3 |
Mrs J Harrington | 2 |
| 6th | (8) | ½ | Zebstar (IRE) 33/1 | P J Smullen 9-3 |
Miss Gay Kelleway | 2 |
| 7th | (3) | 1½ | Sixth Sense (IRE) 25/1 | J Fanning 9-3 |
M Johnston | 2 |
| NR | (6) | Most Beautiful 10/1 | W M Lordan 9-3 |
D Wachman | 2 |
