Derby Dozen: Airoforce already has one big win at Churchill

A neck defeat in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf is the only thing keeping Airoforce from joining champion Nyquist and Mohaymen in the undefeated ranks. The son of Colonel John was alongside those two as an Eclipse Award finalist for 2015 champion 2-year-old male, however, off the strength of a versatile juvenile campaign that continues to be flattered.

Trainer Mark Casse has yet to have a contender as complete as Airoforce at this stage. The gray colt made his first three starts on turf, winning the Grade III Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland prior to the Breeders’ Cup. Sensing there was something more there, Casse equipped Airoforce with blinkers and put him on the dirt for the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs in November, a race in which he drew clear late to win by 1 3/4 lengths over a sealed, sloppy surface.

Having a main track win over the Churchill surface is a major check in Airoforce’s favor. The form of that race has further built him up as runner-up Mor Spirit came back to take the Grade I Los Alamitos Futurity and Grade III Robert B. Lewis and third-place finisher Mo Tom won the Grade III Lecomte.

Owner: John Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Breeder: Stewart Madison

Bloodline: Gray/roan colt by Colonel John-Chocolate Pop, by Cuvee

Career record: Four starts, 3-1-0, $516,080

Last start: Won Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28

Next start: Grade II Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Feb. 20

Potential trouble: Still have to see if his ability translates over a fast, main track.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Derby Dozen: Airoforce already has one big win at Churchill."